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ve1vetyoongi · 4 years

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wherever you will go | jjk

Pairing: Jungkook x female reader

Genre: actor!oc, director!jungkook, smut, angst, humour.

Word count: 21k

Summary: Not much happens when you grow up by the coast. Tourists come and go, the theatre where you work shows the same shows over and over and there’s always sand and salt in the air. Your dreams of making it big in the city are exactly that: dreams. When your hopes of becoming an actress are shattered into a million pieces, you find yourself getting drawn to a captivating up-and-coming movie director by the name of Jeon Jungkook. With his bright eyes and charming smile, he seems determined to glue your pieces back together -- even if it means leaving Ocean City behind for good.

Warnings: themes of loss/grief, mentions of death of a parent, dom!jungkook, dom/sub themes, spanking, squirting, unprotected sex, oral sex (f recieving).

Rating: Mature.

A/N: Hello loves! HAPPY JK DAY!! This fic is a lil celebration of our golden boy Jungkook so I hope you enjoy!! This whole fic is sickeningly fluffy and reads like a pretentious YA novel but ya girl wrote this while she was stuck in quarantine a few weeks ago and I debated not posting this bc I lowkey love it lowkey hate it so pleasedonthateme if it’s bad LOL. Also -- just incase you haven’t read the warnings already there is a running theme that deals with the loss of a parent (a topic very close to my heart, hence why this piece was especially healing to write.) so reader discretion is advised if that is triggering to you in any way shape or form!!!! P.P.S Largely unedited so pls bare with any mistakes!

Prelude.

You're late for your work shift, you note, as you catch sight of your watch face glaring up at you menacingly from the arm clutching the handle bars of your bike. As if your mood couldn't get any more miserable -- the dreary morning drizzle that falls from the sky and drips icily down the back of your nape was bad enough.

Goddamn, you groan to yourself as you will your feet to pedal ever faster. Now my hair is gonna be frizzy.

It's a Saturday and the theatre where you work always opens earlier at the weekends. You promised you'd be on time today, but yet here you are, speeding down the worn in sandy sidewalks of your seaside town a whole block away when you should've been opening up half an hour ago.

It's a habit of yours, being late. And as hard as you try, you just can't change a habit. But it can't be helped you suppose. Continuity is all you've ever known. That's the thing about living in a tiny seaside town. Things never change.

The view from your bedroom window has been the same for as long as you can remember — Ocean City — Aka, block after block of rainbow coloured houses with flaky paint leading up to the harbour where boats bob nonchalantly and fishermen reel in their catches beneath the gull filled sky. Beyond it the beach; greyish rolling waves and upturned pebbles nestled atop of hard sand in the winter and clear water and brightly coloured beach towels and brave surfers in the summer.

Nobody ever leaves, and the tourists that arrive in summer never stay. Life becomes a predictable practice, just each day lived out to the next in an endless cycle of never ending continuity. It's suffocating and endless and sometimes you feel like you're just a pawn on a giant chess board, destined to move one agonising square forward at a time, never diagonally. It's hard to change directions when you've been taught to stick to what you know.

You didn't always live here, in this town of continuity. You lived in the big city for a while, where no day was the same as another. But after your mother died you and your older brother were shipped off to live with your dad, who wouldn't know the definition of adapting if it hit him square in the face. He's always been the same square shouldered, balding dude in his forties who never wanted kids and never quite got over losing your mother to the big buck actor she ran off with when you were two.

So that's how you ended up here. Late for work at your job in the country's most prized vacation spot. And your boring reality.

You roll past the beach huts on the shoreline that alternate between vibrant pink and muted blue, barely paying attention to the boardwalk with its little boat house that stretches out into the horizon like a crooked finger. When it gets dark, you can spot the pier carnival lights flashing in the distance from here as they dance across the reflection of the pale white moon and play among the waves.

Even now, the yellow lights of the ornate street lamps that line the water's front shine like tiger's eyes against the sky just like they always have when you turn down the familiar route that takes you past the winding lanes of trinket shops and the happy hour bars and the carnival that feels strangely empty at such an early hour, not a single rollercoaster ride in operation.

Before long you're skidding to a stop outside of the The Crestmont, the old theatre where you work. It's everything you'd expect from a vintage cinema; pink and blue neon lights and a gold trimmed ticket booth out front with a three-sided marquee that extends from the front of the building like a brightly lit airport runway. You hurry beneath it, grateful for the protection it provides from the rain that has started to come down in lashes now, before heading over to the rack around the back of the building where you can chain your bike.

The Crestmont used to be somewhat of a hotspot back in the day or so your told, but these days it only shows cartoons at a discounted price for the neighbourhood kids and the occasional local production of some worn out musical everyone has seen a hundred times before. It's lost all it's magic, everyone says. But you disagree; you probably spend more time here than anyone, and there's magic in every inch of this place.

From the red velvet curtains to the grand chandelier, The Crestmont is one of a kind. Sometimes you disappear into the theatre by yourself for a while unbeknownst to your manager. You can almost taste the laughter and the tears and the love that has been spilled and shared unapologetically amongst these seats. Pure magic.

Your mom left a piece of herself here, too. If you close your eyes you can hear her laughter spilling out into the theatre, or her lilting singing voice filling every nook and cranny like a haunting siren. She was the Crestmont's star. Ocean City's sweetheart.

There's a wall of fame in the lobby. It's covered in portraits crested with gold frames, all filled with pictures of the Crestmont's greatest performers. You've spent hours there — (turns out it's the perfect hiding spot from your manager) — fingers tracing the plaques beneath each one, all inscribed with names that townsfolk whisper with dreamy looks in their eyes. Some are black and white, some colour, but all of them depict pretty faces with beaming smiles that never seem to fade.

Not even your mom's. Her smile is pearly and bright, right above the plaque with her birthdate. And her death date.

And right there at the end, an empty frame. Your frame. You can feel it. You already know how you'll pose for your picture. Hair over one shoulder, hand on hip, smile so convincing that it'll be like every happiness in your heart is written right across your forehead proudly, and you won't have to dull it any longer.

You finish hooking a chain around the handlebars of your bike, catching sight of your reflection in the darkened windows. Staring back at you is a girl dressed in a maroon v-neck with a preppy dicky bow tied around her collar. You frown. The white shirt itches and the high waisted pants make your crotch look weird but the uniform is compulsory. The only thing uglier is the sour expression on your face, which you try to smooth out with your thumb, experimenting with plastering a sickly smile to your face instead. It might be convincing if your lips didn't strain and your eyes weren't so prone to rolling without your permission.

You need to learn to hide your emotions, your father said. You have your feelings written across your face. Customers don't like that.

It's true; customer's didn't usually like you, your unforgiving face or when you spilled cola down their blouse or spat in their popcorn. One more complaint and you were on the path to being fired once and for all, and although in some ways you would be glad to say goodbye to the stupid slushie machine that always gets stuck and the ungrateful customers and the goddamn uniform, you can't loose this job.

Not when it's your ticket to making it big. Then customers will point to your picture as they pass and clutch their chest with a snide superiority, Oh! Can you believe she served me a cola once? I always knew she was gonna make it! instead of Would it kill you to smile a little, honey?

So you swallow a sigh and make your smile as convincing as possible and march inside of the ornate theatre doors of The Crestmont, hoping that today may be the day where things finally change for once.

Where it begins

"I'm going to work!" You call as you you pull a baseball cap down over your hair to cover it's unbrushed wildness. "I won't be back for a while so don't wait up, okay Taehyung?"

You pause with your hand on the door, listening carefully for a response; the small house you live in pulsates with the bass of some indie rock album your brother and his friends are obsessed with at the moment, and your eyes roll when you peer up the staircase and find Taehyung's bedroom door firmly closed like always.

With a shake of your head you scribble out a message on a sticky note — GONE 2 WORK. — and leave it for him to read when he eventually emerges from his man cave in search of sustenance and finds you gone.

You brush away the funny ache that nestles in your stomach. This is nothing new. You're used to not being heard. Your dad is always gone for trips you suspect involve more play than work, and your older brother pretends he's not broken by hanging around with the neighbourhood cool kids and barraging himself in his room for days on end. Despite living under one roof it feels as though you're miles apart, an invisible barrier separating you indefinitely.

You weren't always like this; distant, always stepping on eggshells around each other. You were a family once. A happy one. But since the accident there's been an absence in this house, and nothing has been the same since.

Still, you know that beneath Taehyung's standoffish persona, he's still your big brother. He worries about you. So you tack the note to the fridge and make your way outside.

The lawn is already brown despite it only being late May, and summer is shaping up to be hot and sticky, though you live two blocks away from the beach so the coolness of the ocean still thankfully pervades against your perspiring skin, the gulls already calling you with their high pitched squaks from down at the shoreline.

You've barely made it to the end of the drive before there's the sound of knuckles rapping against glass. You look up and your heart jumps into your mouth. Staring back at you is a pair of dark eyes from behind the upstairs windowpane. Even from this distance you can see how they shine, deep and dark like a cup of black coffee, and you'd recognise the annoyingly cute smirk that matches them anywhere.

Jungkook. Jeon Jungkook. Taehyung's best friend, and, unfortunately, your crush for as long as you knew what the word love meant.

"Hey, Y/N!" Your heart sinks when the window slides open and a messy head of brown hair sticks out through the gap and points at you with a pout. "You're leaving already? Without me?"

Oh; another thing about Jeon Jungkook. He's also your co-worker, which means you spend 16 hours a week in his company, much to the glee of your heart and the dismay of your conscience.

You weren't exactly surprised when you turned up to the Crestmont theatre for your first shift and were left in the capable hands of none other than Jungkook to teach you the ins and the outs of the popcorn machine and the ticket booth.

For as long as you've known him he's been somewhat of a film buff. He practically grew up holding a camera. You always used watch him and your brother making home movies in the backyard, fit with ketchup sachets for blood and endless costumes from your mom's closet. And the one time you stayed at his house when your dad went away for a while after the accident, you saw all the classic movie posters on his bedroom wall; Casablanca, Singing in the Rain, Jaws. So it made total sense for Jungkook to be at the Crestmont. In fact, you couldn't imagine him anywhere else.

That day you were mostly just surprised that he knew who you were at all. While you had spent years watching him from your bedroom window while he kicked a ball around with Taehyung or avoiding his eyes at the table when he stayed for dinner, he had never so much as glanced in your direction.

Deep down you think the reason he was so quick to take you under his wing is because he knew first hand how hard the accident hit your family. You suppose he feels he owes it to Taehyung to keep you in high spirits.

Although if you weren't you and he wasn't him, you'd swear Jungkook's attentions had become almost flirtatious as of late. He always goes the extra mile to spend time with you, and you even though you know it'll end up with you getting hurt you can't bring yourself to stop him.

You see, Jungkook has a gift for subtle charm. Like how he always sneaks you sodas out back on your lunch break, never forgetting the extra syrup — tooth rottingly sweet just how you like it — slipping one of his own dollars into the cash register to avoid a telling off from your manager. Or how he insists on helping you clean up after the theatre is empty, showing you the best secret places like down the back off seats to find misplaced trinkets and the creaky floorboard where your manager hides his cigarettes. How he insists on walking you home after the evening shift, even if he says he's going this way to see Taehyung anyway.

You've spent countless hours pondering over whether his sweet talking words mean as much to him as they do to you. And as much as you know it's unlikely for someone like Jeon Jungkook to ever have feelings for you, you can't help the way your heart speeds up every time he shoots you one of his signature bunny smiles that light up his whole face like he's happiness personified. And you can't bring yourself to hate him for it.

"I did call," you respond matter of factly, finally sucking in a breath of courage to turn around and squint up at him through the afternoon sun with a shrug. "But that trash you're listening too was too loud for you guys to hear me."

Jungkook's eyes widen as he fumbles around beneath the windowsill and pops up again holding up a shiny vinyl record sleeve. You recognise it instantly; it's from his favourite film — Submarine. He hardly ever shuts up about it.

"This is not trash. This is, like, the best movie soundtrack ever made!" He shakes his head as he takes the needle off of Taehyung's vintage record player, music ceasing with a scratch, and slips it into the sleeve with a grin. "Good thing I have it downloaded so we can listen to it on the way to work, hm?"

You roll your eyes and tap your foot impatiently, and at that, Taehyung appears behind him.

"You're leaving already?" He frowns, words directed at Jungkook even as he glances through narrowed eyes at you stood awkwardly on the front lawn.

"Yup. My shift starts in twenty." Jungkook shrugs, disappearing into the room for a second before he emerges again with a backpack slung over his shoulder. "Sorry dude. I can come back afterwards though, if you want?"

Taehyung purses his lips. Even from here you can see the stress lines embedded in his forehead that make him look older than his humble age of nineteen, somehow weak unlike how you always saw him as a kid. Big and strong; untouchable; your brother.

His blunt eyes never quite meet Jungkook's as he shakes his head softly. "'S good. I was gonna try and sleep, anyway, before the sun goes down. Didn't get much shut eye last night. Not with the..."

Nightmares. Taehyung trails off, but you know that's what he's alluding to. The nightmares that turn your big strong brother into a sniffling mess in the dead of night, kicking around mercilessly until you sneak into his bed and whisper to him until he slips into slumber again. Not that you ever acknowledge it in the morning over your bowls of cereal and vacant good morning's.

"Okay." Jungkook's face momentarily falls; a rare occurrence from the boy who seems to be perpetually cheerful. He pats Taehyung on the shoulder gently. "Take care of yourself, okay man?"

Taehyung just nods, letting out a yawn as he rolls into a stretch. "See ya tomorrow."

You're jolted from your thoughts when Jungkook throws his left leg out of the window, then the other, arms bulging in just the right way where they poke out of the sleeves of his plain white tee as he climbs down the drainpipe and lands with a thump on the soles of his high top sneakers.

"Hey kiddo." He grins as he wipes the palms of his hands on the thighs of his ripped jeans, before messing up your hair despite your groan of protest.

"Don't call me that. You're only a year older than me."

You're startled when you meet the pair of warm eyes that glint golden brown in the summer evening light, chest contracting as you look away and break into a fast walk towards the street.

"And you know you can just use the front door right?"

You hear him snort behind you, neglecting to use the front gate and instead launching over the fence so he lands directly in front of you on the sidewalk.

"How am I supposed to impress my best friends little sister if I can't show off my guns?" He flexes his arm, but you just brush past him with a roll of your eyes.

"You're an idiot."

You hear the clunk of his bike chain unhooking from the gate, before a set of wheels pedal up on the sidewalk beside you. "Hey! Where are you going?"

"Uh, to work?" You offer bluntly, squinting at him through the sun. "You should be too, we start in fifteen minutes."

"I mean why are you walking? What happened to your bike?"

You roll your eyes. "Some tourist kids slashed the wheels at the beach."

"Shit. Really?" Jungkook tuts, but you don't miss the glint in his eye as he nods towards the pegs on the back of his bike that were made for carrying a passenger."Then I guess it's my lucky day. Hop on, we can ride together."

You come to a standstill, arms crossed tightly. "I'd rather walk."

"Oh come on!" He wiggles his eyebrows. "It'll take double the time if we go on foot, and I recall it being you who got a final late warning last week."

"If we go on foot?" You laugh breathily, determined to stand your ground. "Just go on ahead, I'm good here."

"Well, I'm not exactly going to leave you here alone on the side of the road now am I? So I'll be forced to walk with you. And I'm older than you remember? Look, I'm already out of breath! My legs aren't what they used to be, y'know."

"Fine!" With a pout you take the helmet resting in his front basket and hook it underneath your chin, biting your lip to stop a smile from gracing your lips at the excitement that lights up Jungkook's features. "But only because I want you to shut up."

"Your wish is my command." He says with a pat to your head. "Hold on tight, okay?"

And as you wrap your arms around his waist, you're sure his ears heat up a deep shade of red, even it could just be the evening light playing tricks on you.

The theatre at the Crestmont feels eerily quiet when its empty.

You know that because even though your shift was supposed to end at 5, you offered to stick around to help clean up after today's performance. Phantom of the Opera.

"Jesus," You groan as you pick up another sticky soda cup that someone had kindly spilled all over the ground for you to clean up, dropping the offender into a black trash bag. "Doesn't anyone around here know how to use a trash can?"

You fall into one of the theatre seats with a sigh and run your fingers over the scarlet velvet, worn yet plush, the texture soothing you instantly. You tilt your head back and let the silence engulf you. No orchestra, no musical numbers, no stage crew shouting directions. No whirring cotton candy machine. Just you and the stage.

From here you can see every detail on the high ceiling littered with renaissance-style paintings of mermaids and babies armed with heart shaped bow and arrows. Your mom was an actress. When you were a kid you used to spent hours staring at them while she rehearsed. You were convinced they came alive once the theatre closed up for the night, their cheeky smiles evidence of a secret only you knew.

A trail of rainbows is cast by the grand chandelier hung in the center, and it draws your attention all the way down the aisles and up to the stage.

The Crestmont is only small, fitting perhaps 200 people at most. It's hardly Broadway. But the fire in your chest ignites as you glance side to side before sidling up the creaking wooden steps that wind up to the Crestmont's center stage. Your favourite part of the whole theatre.

It's not the first time you've done this. You often like to come up here after everyone has gone home, even though you technically aren't supposed to. There's a certain magic about being alone up here as you collect the lone roses that were thrown on stage by tonight's audience. Breathing in the musty smell of butter popcorn that lingers on the velvet curtains, feel the warmth of the bright stage lights glazing your skin. Something about it feels like home.

The first time you ever saw the Crestmont stage was on tv, watching a grainy camera shakily capture your mom in the very same spot you find yourself right now.

Your mom used to have a cardboard box filled with her old audition tapes. Everything from Hamlet to A Streetcar Named Desire, she'd starred in it, and you spent hours together in front of the television set trying to memorise the way she spoke your favourite lines and listening to her lilting voice recite backstage anecdotes about her rendezvous with foreign directors who dined on her in Paris or underground parties with celebrities you had never even heard of as she stroked your hair.

It wasn't until you got a little older that you realised that, just like you, your mom was a dreamer. Sure, she'd visited a couple different states and starred in some makeup commercials once, and that was enough to make her a celebrity in a town as small as this.

But really? She was just a small town actress with dreams larger than herself and way larger than the Crestmont where she made her name. And suddenly the gaps in time where she would disappear for weeks — sometimes months — on end no longer made sense to you. If she wasn't drinking cocktails with the prince of Monaco or clubbing in London, then where was she?

"Down town with those no good roadies," Taehyung told you once. "They made all these empty promises. Told her she'd make it big if she just did what they said. But look how that turned out."

That was the day you realised your mom was a better actress than you ever knew.

She always thought that her dreams would come true. She believed it so hard that you believed it too, naively. But who knows? Maybe they would have if she didn't get into an accident on her way to New York for her big break.

It's easy to imagine how your mom felt up here. She always looked so alive and free in those VHS tapes as she danced effortlessly across the stage with an ethereal weightlessness, the theatre silent except for the melodic sweetness of her monologues that drew tears to the eyes of those who listened eagerly.

If you close your eyes you can hear the roar of the crowd, hands clapping furiously. The orchestra tuning their brass in the pit, bows melodic against strings. Flowers landing at your feet. The deep breath of satisfaction as you take your final bow and the curtain closes.

Just like that you're moving across the stage, reciting the lines you know so well...

"You're gonna be a star like me some day," A voice whispers against your ear, soft and gentle. A memory. Your mom. "Just like me."

And just like that, she's there. In the audience, clapping. For you. And you feel invincible.

The sound of applause breaks you out of your trance. Real applause. You find yourself stood center stage, broom in hand, staring out at row after row of empty seats that gape with the same emptiness that was here when you arrived.

Except one of the velvet lined seats is filled now. Right at the front.

"Encore!" Jungkook whistles, the harsh thwacks of his palms clapping together clanging inside your ears. "Do it again! That was amazing!"

Your chest seizes painfully, a sudden bout of panic turning your blood cold. You feel the colour leave your face. How long has he been here? How long has he been watching?

Jungkook is watching you attentively, eyes soft at the edges with wonder. It makes bile rise in your throat. You can't be up here. Not when there's a pair of eyes looking at you, judging.

"I..." You begin, but the words get caught in your throat.

"I can't do this."

The way Jungkook's eyes widen and he lurches forward to catch you is the last thing you see before your vision goes black.

The boardwalk is strangely quiet for a summer evening. It's happy hour so you suppose most vacationers are already in the bars in their I LOVE OCEAN CITY T-shirts drinking cocktails or whatever. Not that you're complaining.

The smell of hotdogs and vinegar from the vans that line the strip still fill the air, snatches of conversations from children begging their parents to let them go on the waltzer one last time barely audible above the tinkling bells of the carousel. The ride operators drink soda's as they fan themselves with rolled up newspapers, grateful for the gentle hubbub on such a sticky evening, and then there's you, caught up in the middle of it all.

The wooden boards of the pier are warm against he backs of your thighs. You're sat with your legs dangling through the peeling guard rail that lines the strip. It was painted pastel blue at some point but years of sea spray and grubby hands made it fade to a sickly green tinge that matches the ocean.

Speaking of, the ocean would usually be directly below your feet, murky and wild, but today the tide has receded right back to reveal a large strip of sand. The stands suspending the pier rest on top of it so that you could walk right under and around them if you wanted to. You and Taehyung used to do that all the time when you were kids. Searching for barnacles. Exploring the dark places.

"Here. Eat up. You totally passed out on me back there. You could probably do with some sugar."

The soft voice beside you is the only thing loud enough to permeate your daydreams. You don't have look up to know who it belongs to. Jungkook.

He peers down at you, sun beating down against his back. He's holding two vanilla ice cream cones, double scooped, and he thrusts one into your hands before mirroring your position at the edge of the boardwalk.

The walk down here from the Crestmont was more or less silent, and your stomach twists now you realise Jungkook wants to talk.

"What are you thinking about?"

"Nothing." You lie. The ice cream is cold and sweet and covers the bitterness. "I just think it's funny."

Jungkook's tongue sneaks out to lick up the melted cream dribbling down his cone. "What is?"

"How this place stays the same but I feel so different." You were born here, raised here. This place was your whole life once, with it's salty air and bustling casino's. But since the accident, something's been bubbling inside you, swelling and crashing like the ocean below that taunts you and you've never felt farther from home in your life as you do now, looking out over the town that just won't budge, just like the funny ache in your chest. "Forget I said it. I don't know why I'm even telling you this."

Jungkook fidgets beside you and runs a hand through his hair with a sigh."It's okay, y'know. To miss her."

Your mom. You know that's who he means. Just the mention of her stings.

"Mhm." You snort. "Tell that to my family. If we all carried on missing mom then we'd be in pretty hot shit by now."

"If it's Taehyung you're worried about, then don't be. He's stronger than he looks."

"Until he's not anymore. And we lose him again just like—" You pause. You hate how you can hear the pain in your voice so you smooth it out. "Just like before. And I can't let that happen. I won't."

Jungkook shifts. As Taehyung's oldest friend he was there for everything in the aftermath of the accident. He was there when you put on a brave face for the sake of your family. He was there when Taehyung couldn't be any more.

"That doesn't mean you have to be strong all the time. Think about it this way. The ocean isn't always this calm right?" He gazes wistfully out over the ocean that swells and crashes against the shore, fingers twirling the gold chain around his neck. "Last winter when we had that huge storm, the waves were so big they smashed right through the pier support beams."

You furrow your brows. "What about it?"

"The ocean was just too much for the pier to bare and it would've come crashing down forever if half the neighborhood didn't come down to the beach in the dead of night, despite the rain, and hold it together until the storm calmed and the emergency repair boats could get to shore."

It's true. You remember how unforgiving the rain was as it pelted down against your back and froze you through to the bone that night as each and every familiar face from your neighborhood came down to the seafront to lend a hand, your family included.

Jungkook was there too. He was the one who knocked on your door in the early hours to spread the word. He got given free churros for life by one of the pier stall owners as a reward.

"What I'm trying to say Y/N, is that Taehyung has you to lean on, right? So who do you have?" Jungkook says, staring at you head on now. His sincerity almost makes you blush.

You bite your lip. Deep down you know that your beams are just as broken as Taehyung's and it's only a matter of time before they come crashing down into the water, and this time there'll be nobody to hold the pieces together.

"I don't need anyone. I'm just fine on my own. I can handle my ocean."

Jungkook brushes your hand. You flinch, so he pulls it back into his lap. "Well if you ever need a life boat, then you know where I am okay?"

You don't believe him, but he's staring at you so expectantly that you just tell him what he wants to hear. You're good at that.

"Okay." You whisper. "Okay."

Children's laughter bubbles up from the beach. You watch their distant silhouettes dancing among the waves. It's Jungkook who breaks the silence before it settles between you and becomes uncomfortable.

"Anyway, what were you doing up there on the stage today?" He smiles, like he's trying to lighten the mood. "You looked like you were having the time of your life before—"

You feel your cheeks start to burn. How long had Jungkook been watching you at the Crestmont? Had he seen the whole thing?

"It was nothing. I was just being dumb."

"Nothing?" Jungkook cocks his head to the side and punches you playfully. "It didn't seem like nothing."

"It just...it makes me feel close to my mom when I'm on the stage." You admit. "I loved watching her when I was a kid. She was always larger than life in my eyes. She had this way of making you really believe she was someone else. It was like she wasn't just acting -- she was becoming. Sometimes...sometimes I think I liked her better when she was in character."

You shake your head with a small smile. "I like me better when I'm in character. I used to dream about going to New York one day and becoming an actress just like she wanted to. Small town girl making it big in the city and all that." You scoff. "But I'm nothing like her. It's just fun to pretend sometimes."

"You're good. At performing. Like, really good." Jungkook's eyes are wide. When he places a hand on your forearm you don't shake it off this time. "You take after her. Everyone says it."

It's true. There's one photo of your mom in the house. It's in Taehyung's room. When you were younger you thought it was your face staring back at you from behind the glass. Sometimes you'll be walking down the boardwalk or serving soda's at work and you'll hear the whispers. See their heads turn. Is it her?

"Pfft. Looks mean nothing." You scoff. "She was fearless. I can't even speak in front of one person without passing out, let alone a crowd."

Realisation crosses Jungkook's face. "Oh. So that's what happened back there? Stage fright?"

"Uh huh." You roll your eyes. "So don't give me the follow your dreams spiel or whatever."

"Hmm." Jungkook uses his arms as a makeshift pillow so he can lay back against the ground. You mirror him, peering through your fingers to watch how the golden rays of the sun swallow his frame. "Remember that play they made us do in middle school?"

"The Nativity?" You raise your eyebrow. It was the first theatre production you were in, before the accident and way before you had stage fright.

"Yeah." He grins. "I was the sheep. Taehyung made fun of me for months afterwards because of that stupid costume my grandma made."

"Yeah." You snort. "You did look sorta dumb."

Jungkook bumps your arm with a playful pout that makes you giggle. "And do you remember how I forgot my lines on stage and nearly pissed myself with stage fright? God, I still remember how mad my dad looked in the front row. We'd practiced that part for weeks. I don't know why it happened. I just froze—" A small smile forms on his lips. "But you didn't. Next thing I know there's a kid in a gold star of Bethlehem costume running on stage to recite my lines for me. You stole the show, remember that? Everyone loved you."

"That was then." You murmur, but you can't suppress the smile tugging at the corners or your mouth. "I'm not the same person."

"You were a year younger than the rest of my class but you auditioned anyway, because you knew that you were the only person who could play the star. Because you were a star."

Jungkook turns so that his head rests on his elbow and you're suddenly so close you can feel his breath ghost across your cheek. Your heart pumps in your ears as you gaze dips down to his rosy lips and back up to his sparkling eyes which bore into yours.

"You still are a star."

The words echo in your ears, soft and sincere. His tongue snakes out to wet his lips. You lose your breath. And then you jump away, placing a safe distance between your bodies before you can do something you regret.

"And what about you. Are you still a sheep?" You tease, turning your face so he can't see how it burns rosy red.

"Nah. Figured out pretty quickly after that that I was better off behind the camera." He chuckles.

"Oh right. You still have that thing?" You nod to the camera in his lap. It's one of those old ones that looks like the type that needs a film reel and a projector, but it's been modified so there's a little viewfinder at the side to check the footage instead. "Can I see?"

"What?" Jungkook blinks.

"Some of the stuff you've filmed?"

"Oh! Right!" It's his turn to flush now, scratching the back of his neck as he anxiously thrusts the camera into your hands and pays close attention to the hangnail at the edge of his thumb as you watch the footage.

Your eyes widen when a familiar scene rolls out on the tiny screen. You, on stage at the Crestmont. Jungkook filmed you.

"This is..."

"You." He rushes."Yeah, I know. Sorry if this is awkward—"

"No. Not at all. I just—" You watch in awe as the you inside the camera moves across the stage with an effortless grace. How the lights make your eyes shine and your skin brighter than you remember it being in the mirror this morning. "How did you do that?"

Jungkook's forehead creases. "Do what?"

"Make me look like...that."

"I didn't do anything." Jungkook shrugs. "That's just how I see you."

You could listen to him say that all day, but you stop yourself mid swoon.

"Don't say things you don't mean."

"I do mean it. And I'll show you." He wiggles his eyebrows.

"How?"

He grabs your hand and squeezes it. Tight. "I don't know how yet but I will."

You roll your eyes. "Good luck, Jeon."

"You know I like a challenge." Jungkook laughs, and the melodic sound goes right to your chest. "I'll make you see yourself how I see you. Just wait."

"Since when did you have four wheels?" You call to Jungkook with a quirk of your brow, resting your elbows on the window ledge of the beat up truck he pulls up in outside the Crestmont.

It's a sticky August afternoon and the rusty red vehicle purrs— or more like splutters — in the parking lot as Jungkook untangles your bike from the rack and lifts it into the cargo bed like it's weightless. Just yesterday he came by with his pump and a patch to fix that goddamn slashed tyre, and now he's stealing it?

"Hey! What are you doing with my bike?"

He is clad in nothing but a white vest and board shorts, and you can see perspiration glimmering at his temples as the salty breeze blowing from the beach ruffles the dark curls that flop over his forehead.

"This is my dad's truck," His eyes flash with pride as he hops into the open drivers side door and makes the engine growl. He nods to the empty seat beside him and pushes his dark round sunglasses down the bridge of his nose, fanning his face with his hands. "And you won't be needing your bike today. Now hurry up and get in, loser. I've been waiting ages for your shift to finish and the AC is broken."

You raise a brow. "We're going somewhere?"

"Yeah. Why else would I be waiting for you to get in my truck?"

"I mean, we're going somewhere in this?" You nod towards the truck's worn tires, the fumes that wisp from the exhaust pipe like a lit cigar. "Are you sure it's safe?"

Jungkook notices the way you bite your lip. You don't even have to tell him the worries that are running through your mind. It's as if he can read them like an open book.

"Are you still scared of riding in cars?" He questions, softly.

You nod. That's what an accident does to someone. Makes them scared of something they ordinarily wouldn't even question.

"A little." The breeze ruffles your hair and you hide behind it. "I'm getting better." You add, so he doesn't feel bad because you know he does. His face tells you as much.

"It's a short drive, if that helps." He rushes. "And I asked Taehyung and he said you'd be okay, but if you aren't then I can just walk you home—"

"No." You shake your head firmly. There's a funny fizzing in your stomach that's been there ever since that day on the boardwalk, and it's only growing stronger and stronger now you're inches away from Jungkook and his warm eyes and gentle smile. You don't want it to end just yet. It's enough to outweigh the wriggling fear that's always inside you just a little. "Where are we going?"

Jungkook's face lights up and your heart flips when you realise it's because of you.

"I told you I was gonna make you see what I see, didn't I?"

"Oh that was today?" You tease. "Must have missed it it in the calendar."

"Stop asking questions! Just get in. Please?"

"Fine." You walk around to the passenger door, sliding in beside him and throwing your bag into the back seat. "But I need to be home by midnight or Taehyung will worry."

"No problemo." Jungkook salutes as he switches on the engine and the truck roars to life. You clasp your hands tightly in your lap and breathe through your nose. You're okay. You're safe."Home by midnight. It's a promise."

You gaze out of the window to stop your thoughts from running wild. Jungkook turns left, away from town and the beach and everything familiar. You watch it get smaller and smaller in the mirrors, strangely relieved. Strangely excited.

"Now will you tell me where we're going?" You ask.

"Nope." Jungkook chuckles when you pout. "Just sit back. Relax. Take in the view. Listen to the music."

He leans across the dash, making a point to keep his eyes on the road as he fiddles with the stereo. A familiar string of guitar chords fill the truck. You recognise them, even if vaguely. Probably from Taehyung's vast collection of records.

"The Beatles right?" You ask, resting your chin on your knee as you dare to take a peek at him, blushing when you find him already staring at you.

"Pfft, yeah. Of course it's The Beatles! Only their greatest soundtrack, like, ever."

You shrug. "I've never listened to them before, so I wouldn't know."

"Oh come on? You haven't seen A Hard Day's Night?" His eyes widen when you shake your head. "Super Fly? Pulp Fiction? Purple Rain?"

You stifle a giggle at the look of pure shock he's sending you. "Nope. Should I have?"

"Absolutely!" He splutters. Passion shines in his eyes. "You're missing out on some of the greatest cinematography known to man!"

"I guess you have a lot to fill me in on, then."

"I sure do." His eyes soften. "Open the glove box."

You open it. Inside you find an assortment of cassette tapes, old and new. You send him a curious look.

"Close your eyes and choose one." He nods. "Go on."

You do as he says and shut your lids tightly, feeling around until your fingers curl around a tape you're strangely drawn to. When you open your eyes you find a worn box in your palm, yellow at the edges, and you're momentarily disappointed until Jungkook hums in approval beside you.

"Good choice! Dirty Dancing. A classic." He takes it from you and slides the tape into the stereo. It crackles a little before the music starts. "Trust me, you'll love it."

The stereo tracklist flashes amber. 01: Do You Love Me?

"You broke my heart 'cause I couldn't dance," Jungkook sings along in a deep voice, eyebrows bouncing as you loll your head to the side to send him an eye roll. "And now I'm back to let you know I can really shake 'em down!"

The song starts, all vibrant guitar and drums. It has a funky 60's groove, like it belongs in a swing dancing club instead of on the highway at sunset. It's a happy song and you think it suits Jungkook just right.

Speaking of Jungkook, he starts to bob his head in time with the beat, fingertips tapping in rhythm against the steering wheel. He looks adorably dorky, losing himself to the song, like he's forgotten you're even sat beside him.

"You look like an idiot." You deadpan, though you can't cover the laugh that escapes you as he sings along louder.

"No, I look like I'm having fun!" Jungkook rolls down the window and turns up the music so loud he has to shout for you to hear him. "Don't you ever do this? Just give in to the music for a while? Let your body do what it wants?"

"Uh, no. I prefer to just listen." You shout back. "Besides, your body should be focused on driving this car right now--"

"Oh come on! Just try it."

"Try it?" You blink, stomach suddenly knotting."Like now? In front of you?"

"Well duh. Look. Copy me."

He starts to shake his shoulders from side to side, fingers clicking as he nods for you to do the same.

"I...okay." You start to copy, but you catch yourself in the rear view mirror and you just look stiff compared to how effortlessly Jungkook moves to the rhythm.

"See you're doing it!" Jungkook grins, throwing his head back. "Feels good huh?"

"Kinda..." You have to admit there is something liberating about just letting go. "Like this?"

Your knees volunteer themselves to the beat, and then your arms, and before you know it you've got your eyes closed, hair whipping around your face as you speed down the interstate

"That's it. Feel the music!"

Before you know it, the song ends and you realise all at once that you're laughing. Loud and free, enough to make your belly hurt. Jungkook is too, the sound better than any song you've ever heard, and neither of you can seem to stop.

"Oh my god." You pant, covering your face with your fingers, embarrassed. "Now we both look like idiots."

"Don't hide from me." Jungkook bites his lip. You're suddenly aware of how close he is. His arms grab your wrists, pulling them away from your face, but he doesn't drop the one closest to him. Instead he links your fingers and uses your shared grip to change the gear as he turns down a winding road.

"I'm shy." You say, and you can feel the heat in your cheeks.

"Why? You're beautiful." Jungkook puts the car into park. You realise all at once that you've been driving for ages and you didn't even panic once. "Besides, we've arrived. And you're not gonna wanna miss seeing this."

The destination Jungkook seems so excited about turns out to be a concrete parking lot.

"Where are we, Jungkook?" You ask, looking around but finding nothing but tyre tracks and dirt.

Jungkook has already hopped out of the drivers side, sliding over the hood of the car to tug open your door with a quirk of his brow.

He holds out his palm, upturned and calloused. "Do you trust me?"

You bite your lip, heart pounding. Do you trust him?

Your body speaks for you and you slide your hand into his. His thumb traces your knuckles reassuringly.

"Yes." You breathe. "I trust you."

"Good."

You yelp when an arm wraps around your waist and hoists you out of the car, tightly interlocked fingers blocking your vision like a makeshift blindfold. "Don't open your eyes until I tell you to."

"Okay." You giggle, feet stumbling as you try to find your balance with the help of a sturdy hand beneath your elbow.

Jungkook hums gently beneath his breath as he guides you up a path that turns from concrete to loose rock to dampened grass beneath the soles of your beat up sneakers. There's a voice in the back of your mind that tells you to be nervous; who knows where he could be taking you right now.

But as you breathe in the musty notes of his cologne and feel your heart flutter in your chest when he comes to a stop and rests his chin on your shoulder, just close enough to feel his laugh ghost across your neck, you don't care where in the world you are right now as long as it's beside him.

"Now, open."

The sun is startlingly bright when you open your eyes for the first time and see the vibrant meadow that stretches as far as you can see.

Wait — that's not the sun. It's sunflowers. Clusters of them, cheerfully waving with the breeze from where you stand on the path that continues for a few steps before it disappears among their stems.

The sunflowers are a burst of golden colour against the fading green of the meadow, and the horizon beyond that which boasts the silhouette of beach rock against the soft blue of the ocean at sunset. There's tracks here and there where the uncut grass is trampled, like some children had played hide and seek.

You reach out a hand and brush your fingertips over the velvety petals; breathe in the botanical scent of the fresh sunny blooms that dances through the meadow. It's breathtaking, you think. There's no coordination, just freedom choreographed by the wind as the tall stems sway back and forth in their gentle dance.

Before you know it you've taken off into a run, grinning with childlike glee when the tall grass tickles your nose and the sun whispers against your neck.

"Jungkook, this place is—"

"Beautiful right?" You nod breathlessly, blushing deeply when you come to a stop and find him staring right at you. He squeezes your hand and that's when you notice your fingers are still interlinked. "I come here a lot. When I need to think."

"How did you find this place?"

"Taehyung and I stumbled upon it a few summers ago by accident." He says. "Nobody knows about it. It's our secret."

"It's so beautiful." You whisper. "The whole world needs to see this."

Jungkook kicks at a stone with the toe of his boot. "I kinda like it being a secret. This place...is special to me."

"Then why...." The words get caught in your throat. You swallow and try again. "Why did you bring me here?"

"I wanted to show you the things I find most beautiful. Remember?"

"The sunflowers?"

"Well yeah..." He scratches the back of his neck. Swallows thickly, like he's preparing himself. "But I was thinking of something a little different..."

You close your eyes, a smile appearing on your lips as you let the crisp breeze caress your face. "Then what?"

There's a sharp click of a shutter, and when your lashes flutter open in surprise, Jungkook is shaking a Polaroid picture back and forth, his eyes glinting with something mischievous.

"Hey! Give me that—" You reach for the Polaroid, stomach churning with a sudden shyness that makes you hug your arms.

"Just — don't do that okay?" He holds it out of reach, pleading with his eyes. "Please."

"Do what?"

"Give up on what makes you happy just because you're scared." His palm cups your cheek. "You said it yourself. Being in front of the camera is where you belong. Don't you see that?"

"I'm not scared." You feel the heat rise in your cheeks when Jungkook sends you a knowing look. "Okay maybe I am scared. And so what if I am? You've already given me the face your fears spiel and I told you. I'm perfectly happy avoiding every camera known to man for the rest of my life if it means I never have to face them."

"But you've already faced one of your fears today. You got in my car, remember?" He raises an eyebrow, smug. "Well, two technically, 'cause you're here with me now and I know how nervous you used to get around me--"

"Did not!"

"Do too! Every time we talk outside of work you get all shy and--"

"Shut up."

"See! You're doing it right now!"

You don't know what compels you to do it. Maybe it's the heat rising in the apples of your cheeks or the way your heart quickens when Jungkook closes the gap between you, but before you can stop yourself you're reaching up and grasping his face with both hands.

"Oh just shut up and kiss me, doofus."

The smug smirk on Jungkook's face is replaced with wide eyed surprise, his lips falling still for a moment when yours crash against his. But then his steady hands find your waist and he supports you on your tip toes so he can pull you ever closer, melting into the plush press of your lips.

When you pull back, you're smiling. You can't help it. You've been dreaming of this moment since, like, middle school. And goddamn, he even tastes how you imagined. Like black coffee and toothpaste.

"See." He tucks a strand of hair behind your ear. "Happiness suits you."

"Whatever, Jeon." You smirk. "Don't let it go to your head, but it's thanks to you."

Jungkook flashes you the biggest bunny grin you've ever seen, eyes sparkling at your words.

"Wait...stay like that." He reaches for his camcorder in his backpack and points the lens at you. The smile falls from your lips. You place a hand on his arm, grip tighter than you intended.

"Jungkook stop."

"What's wrong? Just keep smiling like that, the shot was perfect—"

"I don't know what to do." You shrug, the lens boring into you like a judgy aunt at Thanksgiving dinner. "The camera makes me nervous."

"Just pretend I'm not here."

You sniff. "I don't want you to not be here..."

"Listen," Jungkook cups your face, thumbs tracing your cheeks fondly. "The reason I brought you here? It's because this place reminds me of you. Beautiful."

"Jungkook--"

"Just like you said, the world needs to see this place. Just like they need to see you."

"I..." Your heart is on the verge of exploding, you would swear it. "Okay." The word rolls off your tongue before you can stop it because somehow you trust him. And deep down, there's still that fizz of excitement mixing in with all the nervousness. The Jungkook Effect. You don't want to lose it to the darkness like everything else.

"I'll try. Just-- don't laugh at me okay?"

"You have my word, sarge." He salutes with a thoughtful grin. "Hold on a sec. I know exactly what you need to get you going."

Jungkook jumps to his feet and you watch with your chin tucked between your knees as he jogs down the rocky path and opens all four of the truck doors, even the trunk, before his head disappears into the vehicle and the same pumping bass from earlier starts blasting into the quiet serene of the sunflower field.

"There," He grins as he returns, out of breath, and sits back down beside you cross legged, holding his camcorder to his eye. "Now do what you were doing before again, but over there. Just pretend you're on stage at the Crestmont, okay?"

You feel the music wash over you and the urge to move hits you like a wave. Jungkook nods encouragingly and there's something in his eyes that flips a switch inside you. And for the first time in a long time, all the passion and spirit and feeling inside you fizzes up to the top and you can't contain it any longer.

"That's it!" Jungkook calls, shutter clicking uncontrollably. "I knew you could do it!"

An oak tree provides sun-flecked shade, a cool sanctuary from the sun that sets on the horizon and splashes the sky's canvas magenta.

Jungkook laid out a checkered blanket from the trunk of his truck which you both lay upon, shoulders pressed together as close as humanly possible, surrounded by your devoured picnic consisting of his mom's fruit punch and bags of snacks he took from the concession stand at the Crestmont when nobody was looking.

"Holy shit, Y/N." He says through a mouthful of popcorn, jabbing his finger at his favourite shot of you in front of the sunflowers. "This is what I've been saying! You're a natural in front of the camera."

"No, you're amazing, Jungkook." You feel for his hand. It's funny how natural it feels already when his pinky links with yours. "Behind the camera."

"You think?" He chews his lip, eyes searching yours for approval.

"I know. You should do something with these. People need to see them."

"I'm thinking of becoming a filmographer, actually"

"Like at the pier?" You think of the tacky photo booth that overlooks the sea in town, fit with all the silly cardboard cut outs that tourists come and take a photo with for a dollar.

"No, I mean a real filmographer." He shrugs, and you're sure there's a trace of a blush on his cheeks. "Y'know. Movies and stuff."

You nod. It makes sense for Jungkook to spend his life with a camera glued to his right hand. You can't imagine Jungkook anywhere else, and you have to ignore the sinking feeling that comes with the realisation that he would eventually leave Ocean City -- and you -- behind for the big screen.

"Well you bet your ass I'll be front row to watch each and every one, Jeon Jungkook."

"My lucky star." Jungkook smiles.

"Always."

He must see the sadness brimming inside you, his body shuffling closer so your knees brush. It's reassuring somewhat.

"Actually...there's something I should tell you."

He shifts under your gaze. The nerves rush back. "What is it?"

"I guess I finished writing my first screenplay..."

"That's like a movie script, right?" You ask eagerly, and he nods. "That's great, Kook!"

"Yeah, it's great it's just --" He pauses, and clutches your hand tighter like he's scared what he says next will make you let go forever. "It's about you."

You pale. "M-me?"

"I mean, it's about you and...and Taehyung! And your mom." Jungkook rushes. "I was inspired by your story at the boardwalk and it just happened! I'm sorry, I know you probably hate me now and think I'm crazy but--"

"Burn it." You deadpan.

Jungkook blinks. "W..what?"

"I said burn it." You pull his hand into your lap and he lets out a sigh of relief. "I don't hate you, Kook. I just think you were right earlier when you said I need to face my fears. And the only way I can do that is by forgetting my past. The last thing I need is a whole freaking movie about it."

He joins in with your strained chuckles. "Sure you aren't mad?"

"Not mad." You assure with a smile.

"Then I'll burn it."

You avoid his gaze shyly. "I'm kinda honoured you wrote about me, though." You admit.

"I guess...I guess I could call you my muse." Jungkook blurts hurriedly. His nose is a deep shade of pink and it makes you want to tease him forever.

"Yeah." You nod to yourself with a smile. "I like that. Your muse."

And then his lips are on yours again, like he can't quite help himself, and you start to forget where yours begin and his end.

This time it's not delicate and sweet. It's slow and languid, hot and heavy. The sunflowers break your fall, Jungkook's lips never leaving yours as he climbs on top of you, one hand tangled in your hair, the other planted beside your head so that his chest hovers above yours. You're almost certain he can feel how hard your heart is pounding in your chest, but you don't care, too lost in the bliss of finally feeling Jungkook's plush lips against your own.

"Come to New York with me." He says breathlessly between kisses, and your heart stops.

"What?" You can hardly drag your lips away from his but you have to be sure you heard him right. New York?

"I mean, in the future. I'm gonna go to New York. Get a job at a film production company or something, I don't know--" He tucks a piece of hair behind your ear. "Come with me."

"I...I can't."

"Why?" He frowns. "Is it me?"

"No! God no."

"Then why? You said it was your dream right?" You nod. "So what's stopping you?"

"I..I have to take care of Taehyung, and my job at the Crestmont and--"

"Okay. Lets pretend none of that exists. It's just you and me." His breath ghosts against your forehead. "Y/N, will you come to New York with me?"

"Yes." It comes out breathless, but you mean it. With every atom and nerve and fiber in your body. "Lets go to New York."

Where things change.

3 years later.

A postcard sits on the Welcome Home! Doormat you and Jungkook bought before you left for New York. You recognise the picture perfect image of Ocean City on the front, and Taehyung's messy scrawl on the back that tells you he's doing fine at his new management job at the Crestmont and he will be sending a housewarming gift imminently.

— Stay smiling, Y/N. Miss you already! Taehyung. :)

With a small smile you tack it onto the bare fridge. It brightens up the empty kitchen somewhat, a little piece of home and a reminder that you don't need to worry about leaving your brother behind to fend for himself so much any more. Since he pulled his life together and got a job at the theatre, it's like he came alive again. Found his purpose.

Speaking of purposes, you suppose that's how you found yourself here. In your very own apartment in a nice complex on the east side. The east side of New York City.

There's a pair of satin curtains hung over the balcony doors, probably left behind by the old tenant as it's the only form of furniture in the whole apartment. They rustle in the morning breeze and you tiptoe across the room barefoot to rip them open, letting your eyes flutter shut when the early morning sun filters through the glass and cascades over your face like a warm embrace.

You press a hand to the glass, studying your reflection; the messy lump of hair atop your head, the soft shadow of your lashes atop your cheeks. And beyond it, New York. Your new normal in all it's familiar glory from your dreams, yet still so deliciously foreign it makes your heart leap whenever a cab horn rings out in the distance or you breathe in the smell of fresh bagels from the shop down the street.

Home. You could finally call it that now. But New York is just a city and this apartment is just a house. The real reason you get to call this place home is because of who you came here with.

Jungkook.

You've been dating for two and a half years by now. He let you borrow one of his old much-too-big t-shirts to sleep in last night. There's a hole in the shoulder and the hem brushes your knees but it's warm and smells like his cologne and your heart expands when you close your eyes and remember this is just the beginning. You have so much to do, so many things to see here in New York. So many things to learn. And there's nobody you would want to explore life with more than Jungkook.

His camera equipment lays in a cardboard box by your feet, and something compels you to take out the old-school camcorder he loves. The leather strap tightens perfectly around your hand and the red RECORD button flashes as you open the doors wide and lift the lens to take in the view. Something tells you you're gonna want to remember this moment forever.

It's not long before a pair of arms wrap around your waist, chin tucked cheekily into your shoulder. "There you are." Jungkook husks, stilly groggy with sleep as his lips ghost across your cheek.

Turning around in his grasp, you find him still shirtless, sweatpants slung low around his hips. He's been working out recently, and you can't deny you don't love how firm his shoulders feel when you brace yourself on them to stand on your tip toes and leave a peck to his lips.

"Morning sleepyhead," you say, running your fingers through the strands of his silky bed hair. It's longer these days, whispering across the nape of his neck and falling across his round eyes sweetly. They flutter closed when you massage his scalp just how he likes it. "I was wondering when you'd finally get out of bed."

"Missed you." His lips turn up when he sees the camera pointed at his face. "Whaddya doing with that?"

"Making memories." You say simply, zooming in on him as he rubs his sleepy eyes. "So we never forget this."

A cheeky smirk appears on his lips as he wraps you in his arms, a surprised giggle leaving you when he spins you around and grabs the camera so he can point it at the both of you, his chin resting on your shoulder now as his bare arm snugly wraps around your waist.

"Hey stop! I just woke up, I look bad!"

"Hello us of the future," Jungkook chuckles, pulling your fingers away from your face when you bury your face in his chest to hide from the lens. "It's our first day in New York and Y/N is being all camera shy--okay, okay fine, lets show them the view instead!"

Jungkook finally flips the lens around so it focuses on the distant silhouettes of tall skyscrapers skimming the blue skyline, before he turns it back onto you guys once more with a mischievous look this time.

"But we have to go now because we have far more interesting business to attend to..." He lowers the camera as his lips start to trail up your collar bone and he smiles when your eyes flutter shut and you gasp at the feeling, but it's quickly replaced by a pout when you wriggle out of his embrace with a stern look.

"Not now. Later."

"Mmf? Why?" He whines, making grabby hands towards you. "You're so warm, jus' wanna cuddle for a bit."

"No time!" You call over your shoulder as you grab him by the hand and drag his heavy feet behind you. "We've got an apartment to decorate."

Before you know it you've enlisted Jungkook's help in laying tarps across the living room floor, two pots of bright white paint plonked in the center. It's not like you could afford a decorator after all. You are two broke twenty-something's trying to make it big in New York, and all that cliche stuff. So you would just have to do it yourselves.

Jungkook's over in the corner, miming along to the guitar solo from some rock song playing from the radio balanced on the windowsill, the paint roller his instrument as he dances around the room with giddy impulse. There's paint all over his butt where he accidentally leaned against one of the wet walls and he's got his hair tied back into a bun at the crown of his head and you watch him out of the corner of your eye while an affectionate smile creeps onto your face no matter how hard you try to curb it.

That's when you notice the camera in his other hand. He zooms in on the stepladder in the corner, the paint spillage in the hall, the heart with Y/N + JUNGKOOK FOREVER written inside it on the back wall. Documenting everything as usual.

He was always filming you, too. Whether you were making coffee in the morning or drying your hair. He'd even slow down beside you on the sidewalk to get the perfect shot.

You find it cute, even though you pretend to hate it. It makes your heart flutter every time you catch him rewinding the footage with a contented smile on his face, like he just captured the whole world with his lens.

It's no surprise when you finish putting the final coat on the wall and step back to admire your handy work that you find him wandering around the apartment with his hand curved around the lens of one of his bigger cameras like it's natural to him. You always joke that thing is like an extra limb, but he looks so calm as he looks through his lens at the room that is now drunk on the afternoon sun pouring through the window, the golden rays like honey on his skin, that it's easy to see that the camera really is a part of him. Passion lies in the soft lines of concentration on his face, in the plump lip tugged between teeth as he fiddles with the settings.

Jungkook sees beauty where others don't, where others can't. It might as well pump through his veins. And it's one of the reasons you love him so much.

You shake your head when you see how a small smile finds his lips when he leans a shoulder against the door frame and lets the camera land on the thing he swears is most beautiful.

"Hey." You warn, shooting a side wards glare at the camera lens you spot Jungkook not so discreetly pointing in your direction. "Stop it."

"Stop what?" He runs a hand through his hair, lips pulling back into a sly bunny smile when you bend down to reach a spot you missed at the bottom of the wall. "I'm not doing anything."

Your upper lip twitches. "Are you zooming in on my ass?"

"What? No!" Jungkook scrunches his nose with wide eyes, a habit you knew meant he was guilty, a pout forming on your lips as he snaps the viewfinder closed and shoves the offending piece of his equipment behind his back.

You narrow your eyes affectionately. "Perv."

"I don't know what you're talking about." He blows a strand of hair out of his face innocently but there's a playful glint in his eyes and you can hardly keep a serious face as you plant your hands on your hips in what you hope is a menacing manner.

"Then lemme see it." You challenge with a nod to the camera behind him.

He feigns indifference, cocking his head to the side like an overgrown puppy. "See what?"

"That's it!" You shake your head, charging towards and him making grabby motions towards the camera. Jungkook looks down at you fondly as he holds it above your head, out of reach, and it only makes you you pout harder. "Hey! Give it!

"Never!" You jump pitifully, fingers grasping around nothing. A melodic chuckle spills from Jungkook's lips when you cross your arms over your chest in defeat and blink up at him crossly. "You have to say the magic word first."

You scoff at the teasing look on his face as he wiggles his eyebrows and waves the camera just above your head, before an idea strikes you and within seconds you're wielding a paintbrush, Jungkook's eyes widening when you point the paint coated bristles at his face.

"Give it up." You hold out your palm with a smug look. "Or the walls are not the only thing getting a fresh coat."

"You wouldn't." He smirks, despite being backed into a corner now.

"Oh yeah?" Without further ado you swipe the brush down the bridge of his nose, swallowing a giggle at the white smudge it leaves behind and his shocked expression beneath it. "You underestimate me, Jeon."

Jungkook pushes his tongue into his cheek, eyes dancing up and down your body before they lock with yours daringly. "You shouldn't have done that."

"Or what?" You taunt playfully, a laugh escaping you, but you quickly bite down on your lip when you see the glint in Jungkook's eyes as he submerges both his hands into the nearby bucket of paint.

You don't run when he steps closer. Instead your breathing quickens, heart doing a funny somersault when he brushes your hair to the side and clamps both of his wet hands on the sides of your jaw to bring your face up to his.

He tastes like coffee and desire when your lips crash together in a delicious tangle of teeth and tongue, all the thoughts racing through your mind dripping away like honey until all that's left is the thump of your heart against your chest and Jungkook's warmth as he backs you up against the wall.

When he pulls away he rubs his paint covered nose against yours, cocking his head and smiling sweetly when he leans back and admires his handy work.

"You have paint on your face." He looks down at his white hands innocently with a shrug. "Whoops?"

His hands trail down to your hips. You reach to your side and grab a fistful of paint, wiping it down the centre of his face and giggling when he groans and scrunches his eyes closed . "So do you."

"Okay, that's it. This means war!" Jungkook growls, strong arms wrapping around your waist, and before you know it you're stumbling over to the mattress in the corner, Jungkook's body hovering over yours.

"You wanna play dirty, huh?" Desire-filled eyes trace your face, travelling down the expanse of your neck before zeroing in on your collar bones. You gasp when Jungkook's lips attach themselves to the sensitive skin, every inch of you set alight when his burning fingers slide beneath the hem of your tshirt and find your thighs. "Always being such a bad girl, huh?"

"So? What're you gonna do about it? Punish me?" You say teasingly, and he stiffens, lips leaving a mark behind on your neck with a pop. Jungkook's narrowed eyes meet yours and you feel your heart speed up with anticipation.

His lips twitch, like they're dying to turn up. "Brat."

With that, you're being flipped over onto your knees with a yelp. Jungkook's hands work quickly and before you know it your tshirt is over your head and the sudden breeze from the open balcony doors against your hardened nipples makes you gasp.

"You love it." You laugh breathily.

"Too much," Jungkook confirms, before his large palm presses you down into the bed firmly between the shoulder blades so that your ass is thrust up in the air. You wiggle is teasingly, though the breath catches in your throat when the first spank lands on your bare skin. Then a second, the sound ringing out through the empty room like an echo and making a damp spot appear on your panties.

"Hey!" You chastise when you remember the paint on his hands that just left two glaring handprints right across your ass.

Jungkook just smirks. "What? Now everyone knows it's mine."

A third slap and you have to bite the blanket to stop from groaning, then a fourth, and a fifth and by then your eyes are watering but in the best way. Calloused hands smooth over the burning area, soothing it.

"Good girl," A raspy voice whispers next to your ear. "Such a good girl for me, taking your punishment. I think you deserve your reward now, hm?"

"Please." You moan as he reaches around to grasp your breast, tweaking your nipples in a way that has you writhing beneath him.

"Don't say I didn't warn you though," Jungkook chuckles as he rips your panties down your legs, gasping at the sight of your dripping slit like it's the first time. He runs a finger down your folds, biting back a groan when it makes your legs fall open a little further, desperate for his touch. "I'm not gonna go easy on you."

"Jungkook, what do you-- oh!." Before you can finish, Jungkook is pushing your face back into the comforter, spreading your cheeks with his palms and licking an agonizingly slow stripe up your throbbing core. His tongue finds your clit easily, toying it with the tip playfully until you're gasping for air.

"Mmf, tastes so good." He murmurs against your folds, the vibrations of his chuckle making you moan so hard your legs start to shake. His tongue finds your hole, swirling around teasingly before it slips inside and you can't handle it anymore.

"Jungkook!" You gasp, reaching behind to grab his hair. "I..I can't-"

"You can." He says, almost a command, mouth leaving your pussy only so he can slide over onto his back and pull you back down onto his face by the hips.

"Oh g-god!" Your hand reaches for the headboard, landing on the wall to steady yourself when you remember you still haven't bought a bed frame yet. Your legs are starting to ache from holding yourself up but you don't care, too lost in the feeling of Jungkook's tongue lapping at your swollen folds as you grind in lazy circles on his face.

"C-close, Kook." You manage to splutter, head thrown back with pleasure when he slides two of his fingers inside you and starts to pump in time with his tongue, the sensation of being filled enough to send you over the edge into a shuddering climax that is unlike anything you've felt before, the only thought on your mind the way your hole clenches around your boyfriend's fingers.

It takes a few moments for your legs to stop shaking, your hearing slowly coming back into focus as you hear both of your heavy breaths intermingled. You look between your legs to find Jungkook staring up at you with a grin, eyes filled with wonder. His chin gleams with your juices, the front of his t-shirt damp as you realise with a gasp what just happened.

"Did I--?"

"Yup."

"Holy fuck." You swing your leg over his shoulder so you're beside him, Jungkook sitting up to look at you, still mesmerised. "I...I'm sorry, that was--"

"The hottest thing you've ever done." Jungkook finishes, grinning at you like he just won the lottery.

You raise a brow, surprised. "Really?"

"Yeah. Can I fuck you now?"

You can't help but laugh at his eager puppy dog eyes, hands practically twitching at his sides to touch you. A quick glance at his crotch confirms the biggest tent in his pants you've ever seen, and you crook a finger towards him with a sultry smile and a nod.

"Let's see if you can make me do that again."

"O-Okay!" Jungkook pulls his shirt over his head eagerly, and then he's on top of you, burning skin meeting burning skin. Your palm runs down his chest, Jungkook's eyes falling shut when it reaches the hem of his sweatpants. You cant help but gasp when your fingers wrap around his length through his boxers, core already throbbing again to be filled. He shivers when your finger circles his tip, admiring the wet patch on his boxers.

"Eager?" You smirk.

"You squirted on my face, Y/N, of course I'm goddamn eager."

"Get these off then." You tug at his pants and he kicks them off without a second telling.

"Your wish is my command."

When he returns to hovering over you, both completely bare now, he pauses. His eyes meet yours, a gentle smile appearing on his lips as he tucks a stray piece of hair behind your ear and grips your jaw protectively.

"I love you, y'know."

You close the distance between you, pressing your lips against his but barely able to keep yourself from grinning with the elation swirling in your chest. "I love you too, doofus. Now hurry up or I'm gonna have to fuck myself."

"That sounds kinda awesome--"

"Kook!"

"Okay, okay, on it!"

Palms spread your legs, and you both gasp when Jungkook runs the blunt head of his leaking cock up and down your slit, coating himself in your juices before he lines it up with your entrance.

"Ready?" He checks, thumb tracing circles into your inner thigh.

"As I'll ever be."

And with that, he pushes inside, his head falling into the crook of your neck with a sigh of relief at finally feeling your walls clenching around his throbbing length. The stretch of his girth stings, but it makes you feel so deliciously full, so perfectly whole to be connected to Jungkook like this that all you can get out is another soft I love you that earns a blissful smile from your boyfriend as he starts to move.

Each stroke makes you lose your breath, the tip of his cock hitting your sweet spot just right. It's when Jungkook takes your nipple into his mouth that you feel a second orgasm start to build, one hand gripping the sheets as the other drags scratch marks down his muscular back in blissful agony.

It's not long before Jungkook spills inside you with a deep growl, your own high hitting you as you feel him coat your walls. He collapses onto your chest, breaths deep and exhausted, and wraps you in his arms before you can even catch your breath.

Jungkook pulls the sheets up over your shoulders and places a kiss to the top of your head. He's so warm you feel yourself start to drift off into a blissful sleep, the smile on your lips never faltering.

"I love you too." Is the last thing you hear him say before sleep takes you under, and you're safe wrapped up in each other's arms.

When you open your eyes, the room is warm with sunset's rose tinted blush, and Jungkook's body is no longer beside you. Rubbing your bleary eyes, you sit up on your elbow and find him on the ground in front of the freshly painted wall, intricate petals and stems flowing from the end of the paintbrush he delicately waves across the surface to paint the prettiest sunflower you've ever seen.

"I'm home!" You hear your boyfriend yell out as he shuffles into the apartment, quickly followed by a yelp. "Hey, Gureum, stop trying to lick my face!"

You can't stop the smile that spreads across your features when a ball of white fluff comes bounding into the living room, the puppy that excitedly jumps into your arms tracking a trail of muddy paw prints over the script in your hands.

"Hey Gureum," You coo, scratching him behind the ears where you know his sweet spot is. "You're such a good boy, huh?"

"Don't praise him! He totally ran away from me in Central Park and I had to chase him all the way home!" You can practically hear Jungkook's eye roll, shaking your head fondly at the mock annoyance in his voice. It was Jungkook who begged you to adopt a puppy for months in the first place, and they've been more or less inseparable ever since — the little guy hardly ever leaves his side. It's safe to say Jungkook is definitely Gureum's favourite.

The smell of coffee and fresh bagels wafts through the apartment, a warm sensation settling in your stomach as your boyfriend rounds the corner and waves a brown paper bag.

"Still got us enough coffee to stay up all night learning lines though." Jungkook grins, dumping the contents onto the coffee table and raising his eyebrows when your hands dart straight for the chocolate cookies. "Speaking of learning lines, how is it going, pretty?"

He nods towards the script in your hand. It's worn at the edges and ferociously dog eared from all the nights you have stayed up until sunrise reciting the words littered across the pages over and over, until it's like your lips are moving by muscle memory and the words are a part of you.

After what felt like hundreds of failed auditions, you had started to lose hope. With every letter that landed on the porch with another SORRY or MAYBE NEXT TIME, you felt all the confidence in the dream you worked so hard to uncover start to dwindle.

But Jungkook was always there, by your side no matter what. Encouraging you when you forgot your lines or holding you when you didn't get the callback. Reminding you to eat whenever you were too absorbed in your work to cook or cheering you on from the crowd at your weekly improv performances.

It was Jungkook who cried with you when the director of the small theatre downtown called and gave you the lead part in his upcoming stage production. Your big break. And you were determined to make sure everything ran smoothly at opening night tomorrow, which is how you find yourself snuggled up on the couch rewinding your VHS copy of Dirty Dancing over and over again until you have every word memorised by heart.

"Pretty good." You say as you pop a salted peanut into your mouth while Jungkook slips out of his tweed jacket. He's been trying to dress more New-York-ish these days, or so he says. More dress pants and less sweats. "Final rehearsals start at five."

"Aren't you nervous?" Jungkook squishes into the space beside you, Gureum cuddling up between your bodies.

Tomorrow night's show is sold out, along with every night after that for the next week. You heard there were going to be at least 700 people there each night.

"Terribly." You admit, stomach churning at the thought of 700 pairs of eyes staring right at you. You try to focus on the fizzing excitement that lingers there too, growing stronger and stronger. "But I think I'm more excited".

"I'm excited to see you up there doing what you love." Jungkook smiles, tucking a piece of hair behind your ear. "My star."

"Well don't get too excited because I still keep messing up this one goddamn scene," You flip the script to a page covered in bright highlighter scribbles and run your fingers through your hair exasperatedly. "I'm totally gonna mess it up and then I'll never get another job and—"

"Shhh," Jungkook takes the script from your hands and runs his eyes over it quickly. "Don't talk like that. You're gonna be amazing — hold up..." He raises an eyebrow. "Is this...the kiss scene?"

You feel your cheeks redden, voice small. "Yes."

"Then you're in luck because who better to help you practice than the best kisser in all of New York?"

You snort. "Wow, I sure could use some of your expertise Good-Sir-Makes-Out-A-Lot."

"Then you're in the right place..." He runs his finger over the script, jabbing at one line in particular.

[Johnny and Baby kiss.]

"Let's start here, hm? For practice, obviously."

"For practice." Your eyes roll but your heart still beats a little faster as he closes the space between you, hand pressing into the wall so his sturdy body hovers over yours, hands instinctively pulling him closer by the collar.

"Come give me a kiss, m'lady..." Jungkook murmurs, but before he can tilt your chin up towards his lips there's a sudden series of frantic knocks at the front door.

"What the heck?"

You both jump out of your skin, Jungkook's eyes narrowing as he glances over his shoulder at the shadowy figure outside, fist pounding the glass fervently, like they're trying to break it down.

"Okay, damn, I'm coming!" He yells with a roll of his eyes. He wraps the blanket around your shoulders as he hops up from the couch with a sigh. "Probably just some dumb marketer again or something — dude, chill! I said I'm coming! — be right back."

The lock slides open and you hear Jungkook gasp. Your stomach drops. "Who is it?"

"Uh, Y/N..." You hear the door click shut and the sound of squeaky shoes shuffling inside. The anxiety in Jungkook's voice makes your heart skip. "You might wanna come see this."

"Huh?" Your legs feel shaky as you follow him out into the hall, chest seizing when you lay eyes on the dripping wet hair and chattering teeth of the shivering man stood before you, eyes dark and grave like they used to be.

"Taehyung?" You splutter, ripping the blanket from around your shoulders and swaddling him in it as quickly as you can, Jungkook already bounding into the other room to get dry clothes and towels after shooting you a terrified glance.

Taehyung grabs your shoulders and pulls you into a tight embrace. His cheeks are wet against your shoulder, but you can't tell if it's because he's been crying or because he's been out in the freezing cold rain — hold on, did he walk here?

"Y/N," He murmurs frantically, eyes darting back and forth but never quite focusing on anything. You knew this look. This is how he looked that day you found out about the accident. Murky, far far away. Devastatingly sad. Something wasn't right.

"What is it?" You ask, pulling him into the living room and sitting him on the couch before his shaking knees buckle beneath him. "What are you doing here, Tae?"

"It's...it's the Crestmont." He whispers.

"What about the Crestmont?" Jungkook appears behind Taehyung, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder, but it's like your brother doesn't even feel it.

"They're tearing it down." He mumbles. "They're tearing down the Crestmont. Forever."

"Okay, now let's start from the beginning."

Jungkook's calm voice lilts from beside Taehyung who, after a warm shower and two cups of cocoa, has stopped shivering and seems to be ready to talk.

A hand reaches across the coffee table to tug on your wrist mid-lift to your mouth, a reminder from Jungkook to stop biting your nails. An old nervous habit you thought you'd left behind in Ocean City but apparently more than just Taehyung showed up here unannounced tonight.

"I...I got a call this morning." Taehyung begins, pausing to take a sip from the mug he cradles in his lap. His hands are shaking so he places it on the coffee table for safe keeping, right beside your discarded script. "It was from a construction company."

"And?" You prod, somewhat impatiently, making Taehyung jump.

"And apparently the owner of the theatre is behind on rent and...and..." He swallows hard. "And they're buying the rights to tear it down and build an apartment complex in its place."

"What?" Both you and Jungkook exclaim at the same time.

Jungkook's fists clench. "I always knew that old man was shady."

Taehyung fumbles in the pocket of the coat he arrived with, retrieving a brochure which he thrusts towards you.

The image on the front is of a metal skyscraper, far too shiny and new to belong in a seaside town like Ocean City. Fusion Apartments — modern living.

Jungkook rakes a hand through his hair, eyes sorrowful as you pass it over to him. "This sucks. Big time." He murmurs. "The Crestmont is the heart of Ocean City. How can they just bulldoze it like it means nothing?"

"That's why..." Taehyung swallows. "That's why I came here. I thought maybe you guys could help me, and we could do something before they—"

"We?" You furrow your brows. "You want us to help stop them from tearing down the Crestmont?"

"I mean yeah, I guess? I figured you guys would understand how important it is—"

You bite your lip. Taehyung flinches when you place a hand on his knee. "Tae. It seems like they've already got it figured out I mean...what can we do about it? The Crestmont has had a long run and maybe it's time for something new in Ocean City..."

"Y/N?" Jungkook warns, but there's a betrayal in his voice. How could you say that? It pains you, but you continue anyway. "What are you saying?"

"I just...I think it's time to let the Crestmont go."

Taehyung stands up so abruptly his mug smashes onto the marble tile.

"How could you?" He roars, but his bottom lip trembles. "The Crestmont is mom's place! It's all we have left of her in that fucking town and you want to just let them burn it to the ground?"

You tut, kneeling to pick up the broken pieces of china with a sharp glance at your brother. "For goodness sake, Taehyung. Mom isn't there anymore. She never was. She was always running off with some roadies and leaving us behind because she thought she was something special."

Taehyung scoffs. "What? Just like you?" He grabs the cocoa sodden script, crumpling it up in his shaking fist. "You are exactly the same as her. Running off to New York and leaving me behind to get your big break."

Jungkook steps forward warily. "Taehyung, you don't mean that—"

"Yes I do! If Y/N had just gotten in the car that day she wouldn't have died. It was all her fault. And now she's just gonna let them take what we have left of her."

"What?" Jungkook blinks.

Your stomach sinks. Is that really what Taehyung thinks? You wouldn't blame him. Deep down, his words strike a nerve. Because you know they're true.

Taehyung's eyes are hazy, unfocused. You reach for him dizzily, but he backs away into the hall.

"I shouldn't have come here." Taehyung whispers. He looks between you and Jungkook one last time before he's grabbing his coat and running down the steps to the first floor.

"Taehyung, wait!" You hear Jungkook's footsteps follow him out into the stairwell, but you're trapped on the ground, heaving for air.

Your hands shake as you pull yourself up to the window pane and watch Taehyung disappear into the gloom of the city, the sorrowful raindrops that lash against the glass mirroring the ones on your cheeks.

YOU: Taehyung??? YOU: [CALL IGNORED] YOU: please Tae YOU: can we at least talk about this? YOU: we're worried about you

It's been nearly 12 hours since you watched Taehyung disappear among the hustle and bustle of New York from your apartment window.

You and Jungkook were out all night searching for him. By the time you gave up the sun was rising and the birds were chirping and Jungkook somehow convinced your shivering form to return home to rest with a Taehyung shaped hole in your heart.

"It'll be okay. He'll be okay. He always is."

A phone call to your dad revealed he hadn't returned home that night; so where did he go exactly?

The weight of that question sits heavy in your chest as you sit backstage at the theatre, staring into your own vacant eyes in the dressing room mirror.

It's opening night. The show is due to start in fifteen minutes. Your lips are painted a deep shade of red, hair backcombed to perfection by one of the makeup artists. Beneath the harsh lights of the exposed bulbs that line the mirror, you look almost unrecognisable.

Confident, strong, successful.

Anyone would say your dreams had come true, or something sappy to that effect. But even as you sit among the hustle and bustle of the costume team and breathe in the fragrance of perfume and powder blush, you couldn't feel further away from the New York version of yourself if you tried.

Staring back at you is a reflection of the shy, terrified girl from Ocean City you worked so hard to forget. Yet here she is, mind whirring with worries for her brother instead of the lines she should be rehearsing to death before curtain call.

This should be your big moment. One which you will remember forever. But all you want to do right now is hold Taehyung close like you used to and tell him you're sorry and that you won't leave him again.

"Y/N!" You're snapped out of your thoughts by a familiar hand on your shoulder. You cover it with your own, instantly eased somewhat when you glance up and lock eyes with Jungkook in the mirror.

"Y/N, I found him."

"What?!" You jump to your feet, chair scraping obscenely. It draws the eyes of the people around you who quickly register Jungkook's polite smile as their cue to shuffle out of the dressing room and leave you two to talk. "Where is he? I need to talk to him—"

"He's not coming."

"What?"

Jungkook sinks into the chair beside you, forehead creased. He runs a hand through his hair and momentarily you catch a glimpse of the old Jungkook. The Jungkook that always took care of his best friend Taehyung.

"I...I gave him a ticket for the show tonight and told him to come. To see how much this really means to you...but—"

Your finger nails press half moons into your palms. "But what, Kook?"

"He was already leaving for Ocean City."

A sob wracks your frame. "Do you think he hates me?"

Jungkook's arms engulf you before the first tear can roll down your cheek, his chin tucking perfectly into the cleft of your shoulder. "Of course not, he's just...he's hurting right now."

"I can't lose him — not like this, Kook..."

"Shh. It'll all be okay."

You jump back and start to pace. "But it's not okay! What he said last night is true!"

Jungkook sucks in a breath. "What?"

Your knees buckle and you crumple. You can hardly breathe, shame washing over you as you admit the truth for the first time.

"I caused the accident! I'm the reason my mom's...she's..."

Jungkook wraps his arm around your shoulder, voice soothing. "What are you talking about?"

"The night of the accident she got a call from some big buck director. She was cast in this huge movie. Her big break." You're speaking to fast, but Jungkook nods to tell you he's listening.

"So she told Taehyung and I we were leaving for New York that night. And we were packing our bags before my dad got home and...and I said I wasn't coming. I didn't wanna leave Ocean City behind."

"I kicked and cried and said I didn't want to go, so her and Taehyung took off by themselves and that's when they got into the crash. She was upset and going too fast. It was all because of me." You start to sob. You've never admitted this to anyone before. Not even yourself. It tears your heart in two to say it out loud. "I'm the reason Taehyung's broken."

"You can't think like that." Jungkook clasps your face in his hands, thumb wiping away a stray tear. He looks scared, but his voice stays calm and convincing. "What happened was an accident. You were a kid. None of this is your fault."

"That's why Taehyung must hate me so much." You choke. "I'm doing what mom always wanted to, but she never had the chance because of me."

"Y/N?" A crew member steps into the room awkwardly with a cough. "I'm sorry to interrupt but the show is about to start. The audience is getting restless."

"Go. I'll take care of Taehyung, okay?" Jungkook pulls you to your feet, engulfing you in a final hug before he pushes you towards the stage entrance at the small of your back. "You're needed out there. Show them what you're made of."

Your eyes widen. This can't be happening. Not now.

"I...I can't."

"You can." Jungkook grabs your face and captures your lips, hard. It tastes salty with tears. "You're my star remember?"

"I love you." You whisper when you pull back, fingers reaching for him weakly as a costume designer hurries you towards the door.

"I love you too." Jungkook calls. His smile is the last thing you see before the door slams shut and there's no going back. "Now go break a leg, pretty!"

Particles of dust float in and out of your vision beneath the blinding stage lights.

Everything feels different from side stage. Your heart races as you press your ear to the velvet curtain separating you from the world, listening to the hubbub of laughing children and chattering adults filtering into the theatre. You imagine them taking their seats, buying icecream from the vendors, alive with anticipation.

The lights dim. You hear the director behind you, shouting something about places please! but it's like you're underwater, limbs weighted as you move like a ghost to your position for the opening number.

Your palms are clammy and you wipe them on your dress.

Show starting in 5...

Your legs turn to jelly. You close your eyes and try to calm your racing thoughts.

4...

Taehyung. Is he okay? Why didn't he come tonight?

3...

Shit! What was your opening line again? Goddamnit, Y/N, think!

2...

Mom. Would she be proud?

1...

You open your eyes.

The curtain is gone, and a pair of hands pushes you out into the harsh white spotlight. You shield your eyes with your fingers, heart dropping when you look up and find hundreds of eyes staring. Staring right at you.

It's like you're on the edge of a cliff, about to dive into the cool water below. Or fall.

Everything starts to blur. You're a teenager again, stood on the stage at the Crestmont. Panic rises like bile in your throat, and you don't know whether to scream or to run.

Run. Run. Run.

Your mouth opens, then closes. There's an awkward cough from the audience. Words run your mind in circles, but none of them are right, and before they can reach your lips they evaporate on your tongue.

Your panicked eyes roam the sea of seats that zoom in and out of focus. Your knees buckle, and you're sure you are going to pass out right here in front of everyone, but then your eyes meet a familiar pair of brown ones that makes the room stop spinning for a moment.

Jungkook. He's smiling at you, fingers crossed in his lap. There's not a trace of nerves in his gaze as he nods for you to go ahead.

I believe in you.

Just then the door to the theatre flies open and every head in the audience turns towards the darkly clothed figure shuffling through the aisles, mumbling sorry's and excuse me's until he reaches the empty seat beside your boyfriend.

He lets down his hood, shakes free a head of blonde hair that's still damp from the rain. He's out of breath, like he ran here.

Taehyung.

Your brother looks up at you, frozen in place, and his eyes soften. He flashes you a thumbs up and his lips curl around the four words you needed to hear.

You can do this.

And just like that, the panic disappears. The words come flooding back, and your body flies into action, moving across the stage

You forget all about the fear, and the anxiety, and Taehyung and the Crestmont. For now it's just you and the stage, together in harmony.

And you've never felt more alive than when you take your final bow and the crowd roars to life, just like you always imagined it would.

Your jaw hurts from smiling, and before you know it you're crying. Because when you squint against the theatre lights, you see Taehyung and Jungkook in the front row, holding each other and shouting your name.

Y/N! Y/N! Y/N!

"Hey! Be careful!"

The bouquet of congratulatory geraniums cradled in your arms gets crushed between your body and your brother's. He practically tackled you as soon as you entered the dressing room, carried on the cheering shoulders of the other cast and crew members.

"Holy shit." Taehyung holds you at arms length. His eyes are ringed red around the edges. "You were amazing, Y/N."

"You really think so?" Tears start to well and you're so happy to see him that you throw your arms around his waist. "I'm so glad you came, Tae."

"Yeah. You were just like her." He smiles. "Just like mom."

You share a small, sad smile. You've heard those words all your life but it feels different when it comes from Taehyung.

Jungkook pops his head into the room. He catches your eye over Taehyung's shoulder, and flashes you a small smile when he sees you cradling him in your arms.

Talk to him. He mouths, and you're suddenly reminded of why Taehyung came here in the first place.

"Hey listen—"

"Taehyung—"

You both start to talk, bursting into easy laughter when the other stops, seemingly hit with the same idea at the same time.

"You go first." You smile, encouragingly.

"Okay." He pulls you over to the couch. "I'm just...I'm sorry for storming out last night. I shouldn't have come here and expected you to help me—"

"No, stop. I'm sorry." You place a hand over his. "I want to help." You hold an arm out to Jungkook, who crosses the room and slides his hand into yours. "We want to help. We want to save the Crestmont."

Taehyung's eyes bulge. His voice drops to a whisper. "Really?"

"You were right. The Crestmont was mom's place."

You think about how it felt to be out there on the stage, in front of a crowd cheering your name. The excitement, the exhilaration. Your first stage.

The Crestmont is your mom's first stage. It's where she felt those same emotions for the first time. You can't let it be demolished. Not for anything.

"She deserves a legacy. We can't let them tear it down. I don't know how yet, but we'll save it."

"Thank you." A tear streaks his cheek, and his arms pull you and Jungkook into a tight bear hug.

"Thank you. For showing me what really matters, Tae." You whisper. "Let's do this together, okay?"

"For mom."

Taehyung holds out his pinky finger, and you link yours with his.

"For mom."

Where things go wrong.

Six months later.

Every second that passes is marked by a deafening tick from the kitchen clock.

Jungkook was supposed to be home 10 minutes ago. You're sat alone at the dinner table, a carefully presented meal for two spread across your mom's old polka dot table cloth. You even lit candles.

With a sigh you drop your chin into your hand, absentmindedly pushing your spaghetti around the dish while your eyes remain trained to the front door that will open any moment.

To be honest, it's been months since you and Jungkook shared a meal together. He spends most of his nights in his office, hunched over his laptop staring at the blinking cursor on some script he'll never finish. And ever since Jungkook's big script got rejected and he fell into a slump of no work, he had to get a job at a local convenience store all day for some spare cash to get you through the month.

You know he hates it. He hates the rude customers and how he can never shower the smell of grease out of his hair.

You know the bickering that turned into arguing that turned into fighting was just a result of his restless aggravation at being shot down too many times. Of watching his dream slip right through his fingers.

But you haven't exactly been as understanding as you should have been. You're overworked too, with the play, and The Crestmont, and you hate how easy it was to accept sleeping apart and missing dinner dates.

So you texted him to tell him you were making dinner tonight. A cease fire of sorts, or maybe just a feeble attempt at glueing back together the cracks that have appeared between you recently with pasta sauce and meatballs.

But he's late. Again.

And it makes you wonder whether there was any point in trying.

"Y/N?"

A gravelly voice jolts you out of your thoughts. Keys jangle onto the counter, shoes are slipped from feet and thrown into the storage cupboard with the creaky door.

"I'm in here." Your voice sounds meek, but you straighten and muster up a smile. To show at least one of you is making an effort.

Jungkook appears in the doorway, clad in his ugly traffic cone orange uniform. His shoulders are slumped, bangs limply stuck to his forehead. He looks tired, exhausted.

"What's all this?" He nods disinterestedly towards your untouched homemade buffet before heading to the sink to fix himself a glass of water.

"Dinner." You cough. He stiffens. "Remember?"

"Oh." He scratches the back of his neck. His eyes flash with something close to guilt momentarily, but then he smoothes it out. "Yeah. Dinner."

"It's okay, you're not too late. We can just heat this up in the microwave—"

"I already ate, Y/N." The glass in his hand slams onto the counter a little too loudly. "At the store."

You can't hide the way your face drops.

"Please." You whisper. "For me?"

Jungkook stares at you for a few seconds, unblinking, before he exhales shakily and pulls out the seat opposite you.

"What's on the menu?" He asks, hands already grabbing for the bottle of red wine in the middle of the table without so much as a glance at the food you worked so hard to prepare.

"Pasta."

"Right."

An uncomfortable silence settles. Jungkook nibbles at a meatball, and you suddenly feel too sick to the stomach to keep anything down.

You jump when Jungkook's fork clatters to the table. He wipes pasta sauce from the corners of his mouth with a napkin and you're sure you can see a slight tremor in his grasp.

"There's something I need to tell you."

His words ring out into the deafening silence that shrouds the apartment. You train your eyes to the candle in the middle of the table that flickers back and forth and carefully place down your own cutlery.

"Should I be worried?"

"No...I mean, I don't know. Maybe." Jungkook waves his hands around and when his eyes meet yours they're distant. Like the table that separates you spans oceans. "Just promise not to freak out."

"I'm not promising anything. Why are you looking at me like that?"

He shifts and the cheap flat pack dining chairs you bought when you moved in creak like they always do. "I...I got a movie deal. They loved the script I told them I've been working on and they want me to direct it."

Your heart fills with something sweet; pride. Even despite your downs recently this is still incredible news. You knew your boyfriend should be ecstatic...so why is he staring intently at the table cloth like it killed his whole family? "That's awesome, Kook. So what's the problem?"

"I gave them a different script."

Something shifts in the air. You hold your breath.

"Huh?"

"The script. The one you told me to burn before we came to New York. The one about you...your life."

Your blood runs cold and it's like your frozen. Just searching through the never ending blackness behind Jungkook's eyes that fails to falter, no matter how hard you pinch your inner thigh and hope you're about to wake up from a bad dream.

"You wouldn't." Your voice sounds strained and Jungkook doesn't even flinch. "You...I don't believe you."

"I'm sorry." He runs an exasperated hand through his hair. "It's just that they hated the first one and I wanted this deal so bad. It's a once in a lifetime chance Y/N, don't you see?"

The boy staring back at you isn't the sweet and sensitive Jungkook from Ocean City or the strong and passionate man from New York. His words get all mixed up in your head as you repeat them over and over and it's as if you don't even know him at all. All you can feel now is betrayal. And just like that all the anger that has been building inside you for months explodes.

"So my life is just a fucking plot for one of your indie movies, Jungkook?"

"It's always your life isn't it? Never mine." He slams his hands on the table hard enough to make your insides shake. "Ever since we came to New York I've supported you, sat back and watched as you achieved all your dreams. And it hurts, Y/N. To come home from my dead end job, and write another goddamn script that nobody wants to even read."

"I came to New York because of you!" You don't even realise you're crying until you taste the hot salty tears that won't seem to stop. "I came here so you could make it big! You're the one who encouraged me to audition for the play in the first place!"

"God, are you really that naive? Don't you see? I came to New York because I saw how much it meant to you." Jungkook lowers his voice, and there's something in his words that makes your heart twist. Pain. His eyes look watery and you long to reach out for him. Like the skin on skin contact will somehow make all of this okay. "And not once have you ever considered how it might feel for me to sit back in your shadow."

"So that's what this is? Jealousy?" You shake your head and get up from the table and turn to leave, but Jungkook grasps your wrist.

"Why can't you be happy for me?"

"I am happy for you Jungkook. And I always will be." Your heart softens and you're reminded of the boyfriend you know. The boyfriend you love. You want to believe he's in there somewhere so you place your hand over his, and for a second he looks hopeful. "But this was never your story to tell. That's what hurts."

He drops your arm, gaze cold and distant. "Then I guess that's it then."

"What?"

The room starts to spin.

"If you can't accept my decision to go ahead with the project then I guess we can't do this anymore."

"This?" You whisper.

"Us."

"Jungkook...Are you saying we're over?"

He drops his head into his hands and lets out a sigh. "Maybe. I don't know."

"You don't know?" You chuckle but it's hollow, empty. "You don't know if you love me any more?"

Jungkook's face drops and he lurches towards you, but you step back.

"No, shit Y/N I didn't mean it like that!" He looks scared. "I was just angry and it slipped out."

"Don't." His arms reach for you again but the brush of his fingertips feels scalding hot, wrong. "Don't fucking touch me."

"I'm sorry..."

"Don't lie to me Jungkook." Your vision is blurred with tears as you rip open the closet and yank out a suitcase. "You're not sorry. I was never your muse. I was just a stepping stool to the top."

"Where are you going?" Jungkook's crying now too. It comes out as a sob.

"Home." You say as you rip open your shared closet door and start throwing your things into the case. "I'm going home. Where I belong."

"I can't lose you like this. Please." He reaches for your wrist again but you're already half way to the door.

"Too late." You say. "I'm going home. And I'm never coming back."

The familiar scent of burned popcorn and candyfloss soothes you as you creep through the backdoor of the Crestmont. It always had a broken hinge which opened just enough for a body to squeeze through. Seems not a lot has changed since you left Ocean City.

It's dark inside. Silent too, without the popcorn machine running and the movie trailers playing on LED screens. You don't know what you expected. It's gone midnight by the time you get back to Ocean City, but you don't want to go home just yet.

Comfort washes over you as you run your fingers over the gilded edges of the counter, and slip beneath the hatch on auto pilot. It feels strange to be back here without the starched shirt and bow tie you used to hate. You've swapped out worn sneakers for heels that click against the tiles and you've performed on stages for crowd's bigger than the Crestmont's but here and now, you feel like yourself. Even though everything in your life has changed, you're still the same small town girl underneath it all.

Without thinking your legs carry you to the wall of fame. The faces smile up at you, like they're saying welcome back.

"Hey mom," You whisper, stopping momentarily in front of her portrait. You stared at it for so long as a kid that you have every detail committed to memory but seeing it up this close makes your breath hitch. "It's me."

With a sigh you force yourself past into the hall. Your hands tremble as you push open the door to the theatre. It's just how you remember it, sparkling gold and red velvet and mystery. But there's yellow tape strung up across all the seats and a sign has been propped up on the stage, red glaring letters burning a hole in your heart as you read them.

DANGER. DUE FOR DEMOLISHMENT. STAY AWAY.

All you can do is let your legs buckle, back sliding down the wall as you hug your knees to your chest and let out a throaty sob that echoes from the high ceiling.

When did everything go so wrong? You must be cursed. Everything you touch gets destroyed.

"Y/N?"

The lights flicker on, bathing the room in a soft golden glow. You wipe your tears, but that doesn't stop them from coming.

"Over here."

Your voice is small but a few seconds later Taehyung's face appears from behind one of the velvet seats. His eyes soften when he sees you curled up in the corner.

"What are you doing down here?" He clambers over the seat to join you, his long legs folded awkwardly in the small space.

"Having a one man party." You snort and point to your tear stained cheeks.

"Are you okay?" His hand covers yours and the contact makes you jump.

"Yes..." You sniff. He raises a brow. "No. Jungkook broke up with me."

Taehyung chokes. "What?!"

"I mean, we fought and then he...he said we were over." Your heart stabs painfully but you shrug. "So I came here. Didn't know where else to go."

He places an encouraging hand on your shoulder. "Listen...I know I haven't always been there for you when I should've. Hell, you always took care of me and I never even asked how you were doing." He offers a small smile. "But I'm here now. And you can tell me anything. If...if you want to."

A few seconds tick by in silence. You try to form a sentence but everything just comes back to the same three words.

"I miss mom." You blurt.

It echoes through the theatre, and you can practically hear the mermaids and the cupids painted on the ceiling gasp. It surprises you too, the combination of grief and relief that washes over you at finally admitting it.

"I know." Taehyung pulls you into his chest, lips whispering against your hair as you let out a sob and it's like all the sadness and denial is rushing out of you like a faucet, filling the whole room up like a water tank. You're terrified of the moment it gets too full, and you stop being able to breathe. "But you're a lot like her, y'know."

"That's exactly the problem!" Your words come out as a yell and it makes you both jump. "Everyone always says I look like her, I talk like her, I act like her. And I hated it for the longest time because I hated her for leaving us!"

"But without even realising it I became her, Tae. I did what I always said I wouldn't and became selfish. I hurt you, and Jungkook and even the Crestmont."

"That's not true."

"It is! And the worst part is I don't even hate her any more. I need her. To hold me, and tell me it's going to be alright. But she isn't here!"

"What does this have to do with Jungkook?"

"Jungkook wrote a script. A long time ago. About mom. And you and I. And everything that happened." You swallow, Taehyung's eyebrow raises though he doesn't look at all surprised by this information, nor as horrified as you that a record of your bleak shortcomings exists for anyone to read. "He got a movie deal. That's why we fought."

Taehyung hums. "You don't want him to make the movie?"

"It's not that I...I want to be happy for him. But I can't." You choke. "It's too painful. Remembering."

Accepting.

"When I said you were a lot like mom, I meant that you are headstrong." Taehyung pauses. "I felt that way once too. Like I hated mom and the goddamn world for taking her too soon. But in the end, the only person I hated was myself. Like however hard I tried I could never get over her, and all the pain I was pushing down into a dark place kept taunting me through the nightmares." He shivers, and you grip his hand tighter. "But one day I realised I don't have to be afraid of that pain any more. That pain is a part of me. But that doesn't mean I have to let it win."

"So what did you do?"

"I let myself feel it . I faced it. The only way I could let mom go was to stop running away." He pats your shoulder. "You need to set the girl in that script free, so you can move on."

And just like that, you're swimming...up, up, up, until you reach the surface of the water tank and you can take a heaving breath for the first time.

You throw your arms around his neck. It feels weird to hug him like this, but it's nice. "I missed you, Tae. Thank you.”

"I didn't do anything." He says. "The strength is inside you, you just need to find it. Just like you need to stop holding on to the past and let the new you shine for once."

You shake your head. "I need to talk to Jungkook. I don't know why I stormed off like that and..." You trail off. "Wait, how did you know I was here?"

Taehyung grins. "I didn't. I got called in to sort some paperwork and I noticed the back door ajar. Good thing it was you and not some crazy with a baseball bat, right?"

"At this time?" You nod to his still pyjama clad state. "Is it important?"

"Y/N," He laughs lightly. There's excitement shining in his eyes. "Someone just bought the Crestmont."

You scramble to your knees. "What?"

"We're staying open, and I get to keep my job."

And then you're hugging again, and laughing and crying because the Crestmont is going to be okay. You're going to be okay.

"That's incredible, Tae! Who is it? Who bought the Crestmont?"

"I don't know, it was an anonymous transaction. But the guy said he would be here...." He glances at his wrist watch, and as he does, the door creaks open. "Around now."

"Hello? Anyone here?" A familiar voice calls out.

"Jungkook?" Both of your jaws drop as you poke up from behind the seats. Sure enough your heart flutters when you see him, all wind swept and out of breath like he ran here.

"I thought you might be here." He scratches the back of his neck awkwardly. "Can we talk?"

The car ride to the pier was mostly silent. Jungkook borrowed his dad's old beat up truck -- it was that or his old bike with the pegs on the back -- and it still smelled like leather and petrol like it used to.

Everything about Ocean City is the same as you remember it. The pier stands strong atop the rocky sand, sea air deliciously fresh as it fills your lungs. The rolling waves shimmer like gold dust below the wisps of pink clouds that greet the rising sun. The beach is a peaceful view at this time. No tourists, all of yesterdays sandcastles swallowed by the sea spray. It took a couple hours to work through the paperwork so by now it's early morning — 5:30am according to your phone lockscreen.

It's chilly, and your skin is covered with goose bumps even despite Jungkook's suede jacket wrapped loosely around your shoulders. But you don't mind.

You've missed this. You've missed Ocean City.

"No ice cream, I'm afraid." The breeze ruffles Jungkook's hair as he emerges from the fairground and settles beside you with his legs poking through the rails. He flashes you an apologetic smile. "I guess the parlour doesn't open until 9..."

You feel a pang in your chest. Being here is like a serious case of deja vu. Countless hours spent in this very spot, eating vanilla scoops with rainbow sprinkles beside Jungkook used to be so normal. When did you grow so far apart that you're surprised he even remembers?

"Jungkook..." You swallow hard when you meet his eyes, hands longing to reach out and stroke the stream of sunrise on his cheek that makes his dark eyes sparkle. "We...we need to talk. About everything."

There's a moment of silence filled only by the calls of seagulls greeting the morning before he speaks. "I sold the script."

He sounds nervous. Like he's not quite sure what your reaction will be.

You swallow. "And you used the money to buy the Crestmont?"

"Yeah." He says matter of factly, scratching a phantom itch at his nape. "I guess I did."

"Why?" Your voice is small.

"I can't loose you, Y/N." He murmurs. "Just like you can't loose your mom. The Crestmont was her everything. But you are mine. And loosing the Crestmont would be loosing a piece of you, and I couldn't stand that."

The breeze ruffles his hair as he reaches for your hand and links your fingers and squeezes hard. You don't make any move to stop him. You know what it means, so you squeeze back and return the sentiment. I'm sorry.

Before you can stop yourself you lurch forward, arms curling around his neck and it's like coming home. His hands pull you flush to his chest, hearts beating in sync and you know everything is going to be okay now.

"Thank you." You whisper against his nape. A tear rolls down your cheek and soaks into his collar and before you know it you're blubbering. "Thank you so much, Kook."

"You aren't mad?" His voice is muffled but you can hear the quirk of his brow.

"Mad? No..no..." You lean back and wipe your eyes with your sleeve. "But what about the movie? And your dream to be a director and--"

Jungkook grabs your shoulders. His own eyes are glassy as he tucks a piece of hair behind your ear.

"That was never what mattered to me, Y/N. Not even a little bit. There's one reason I went to New York and it's the same reason I came back to Ocean City tonight. You."

"But--"

"No but's. As long as we're together, I'm already living my dream." His lips turn up into a smile, his eyes tracing your face like it's the first time and he can't get enough. "And I never ever want to wake up."

You shift in your spot to face him properly for the first time, and emotion hits you like a tidal wave. It's like all of a sudden you realize how stupid you've been; to fight with the man before you, a man who only knows kindness, about the trivial when the things that mattered the most were always right here, in front of you. The things that mattered most were always in Ocean City.

You brace your hands on his shoulders and lean up so your lips are inches apart. His eyes fall shut naturally, and you can't help but laugh with what you can only describe as one thing: happiness.

"I love you." You whisper against his lips. A warm palm cups your jaw and closes the distance between them and you're almost too lost in the way Jungkook's kiss takes your breath away to hear his response.

"I love you too."

"Sooo..." You bite your lip with a coy smile when Jungkook pulls away, the blush upon his cheeks scarlet beneath the sun which is rapidly rising. "I take it we're no longer broken up?"

"Well duh," He swats you playfully. "You think I'd do all this just to dump your ass?"

"Hey!" You pout. "I dumped your ass."

Jungkook shakes his head with a laugh.

"Besides," He glances out over the horizon nonchalantly and shrugs. "I'm gonna need help if I'm gonna start my own film company and run the Crestmont."

Your jaw drops. "A what now?"

"A film company." He explains. "A different type of film company, right here in Ocean City. For the outcasts like me who have a vision that even the biggest names in New York can't see yet." He smiles, so big and bright it makes your heart leap. "I'm gonna show them, Y/N. And everything I need to do it is right here in Ocean City."

"I know you will. I never doubted you for a second." You take his hand and link your fingers, squeezing hard. "And you bet your ass I'll be front row to watch each and every one, Jeon Jungkook."

Epilogue.

"Just keep your eyes shut!"

"I already know where we're going, so why can't I look?" You laugh, attempting and failing to tug Jungkook's interlocked fingers away from your eyes.

"Shush, it's a surprise! Just roll with it."

A surprise. That's what Jungkook said earlier too when he woke you up at the crack of dawn by throwing a dress at your head and telling you to meet him outside in the truck in 10 minutes or else.

By the time you pulled up into the familiar parking lot of your not-so-mysterious destination, the sky was already aflame with the glow of morning skimming the horizon, and Jungkook practically leapt out of the truck, palms unusually sweaty as he grasped your hand and pulled you towards the path quicker than your feet could carry you.

"What's the hurry, Kook?" You get out between heavy breaths, quads burning as the path gets steeper beneath your feet.

Come to think of it, your boyfriend has been acting strangely all week. Like hiding things behind his back when you walk into a room or talking in hushed whispers on the phone to Taehyung when he thought you were sleeping.

"You'll see." The path levels out and you stop. Jungkook wraps his arms around your waist, chin tucked into the cleft of your shoulder like a perfect puzzle piece. "Okay. Now you can look."

You round the corner, heart racing when your eyes flutter open and your vision is filled with a sea of yellow flowers. Your place.

The meadow is just how you left it, tall grass and sunny blooms dancing beneath the rays of morning sun peeking out from between the clouds. A warmth spreads through your chest and you both laugh when Gureum lets out an excited yelp, before bounding off between the stems playfully.

"I think the little guy wants us to follow him." Jungkook raises a brow and throws you a knowing shrug.

Excitement flutters in your stomach like a butterfly trapped between cupped palms. "How could I refuse?"

Fingers interlinked, you part the sunflowers and jog after the ball off fluff bouncing across the meadow, the breeze cool and forgiving as it ruffles the strands of hair that billow behind you.

Eventually you reach the clearing, and Gureum wags his tail at you proudly when you stoop down to scratch him behind his ears.

The sun reflects in Jungkook's eyes, turning them a warm golden brown. "Turn around."

You spin on your heels with a questioning glance. "Why?" That's when you see it. The spot where everything began. The tree where Jungkook kissed you all those years ago has bloomed with fragrant blossoms, and twinkle lights glow like tiny stars around it's branches. A blanket is laid out in the sun flecked shade beneath it, littered with feather cushions and lanterns and a trail of sunflower petals that begin at your feet.

"You did this?" You take his chin in your palms, face beaming despite the tears that have started to blur your vision. "Oh, Kook."

"Surprise." He smiles knowingly, grabbing you from behind and spinning you round and round until you both land with a soft thump in the middle of the outdoor cushion fort. "You haven't even seen the best part yet." He says with a nod to his right.

It's then that you notice the white sheet that's strung up a couple meters away between the trunks of two trees, Jungkook's vintage projector set up in front of it.

"What is this?" You ask, bewilderment evident in your voice.

"Gureum, would you do the honours?" Jungkook chuckles, extending a finger to point at a remote that your puppy obediently picks up with his teeth and drops into your lap with a wag of his tail.

Jungkook tucks a piece of hair behind your ear and takes a deep breath, like he's been waiting for this moment for a long time. "Go ahead. Press play and find out."

Your head shakes fondly, but your fingers tremble with anticipation as they find the PLAY button. You press it and the projector starts turning, a light flicking on at the top that makes a grainy image appear on the sheet.

The first scene is you. A teenager, dancing through the sunflower field, laughter spilling from your lips. The first time you hung out. And then it switches. You, again. Cleaning up a spill at the Crestmont, unaware of the camera. You. Paint in your hair as Jungkook chases you around the apartment in New York. You. Tears in your eyes as you hold baby Gureum for the first time. You. Asleep on Jungkook's shoulder on the subway, the camera panning to his face which lights up in a big grin, lips mouthing three words.

I love you.

Tears are hot on your cheeks, laughing as you remember the good moments and the bad, the funny and the sad, all immortalized forever through Jungkook's eyes.

The film fades out, and you throw your arms around your boyfriends neck. He chuckles when you tackle him to the ground, throwing a leg over his lap so that you can lean down and capture his lips between yours in a kiss that says all the words you want to say but you don't know how to. I love you too.

"I take it you liked it, then?" Jungkook says coyly, thumb stroking your cheek.

"It was beautiful Jungkook." You place your hand over his. "Now I know why you're always goddamn filming me."

"What can I say? You're my muse."

"Shut up." You punch him playfully. "You're gonna make me blush."

It's Jungkook's cheeks that flush pink. "Actually..." He starts to sit up, fumbling around in his back pocket. "There's something else."

"Oh?"

He clears his throat. "The first time we came to this place I knew I loved you. Back then, I said I wanted to show you what I found most beautiful. And it was you. It's always been you." He takes your hand, grip tight. "When we met we were just kids with big dreams. We might be older now but heck -- I still don't know what I'm doing. All I know is dreams come and go but you never left. You always stayed by my side. Which is why I want to promise you something."

"What, Kook?" You manage to whisper. Your heart is beating a million miles a minute in your ears. Is this what you think it is?

Jungkook swallows hard, eyes boring into yours.

"That I'll go wherever you go. New York, across oceans, up mountains -- you name it. As long as we're together, everything will be okay. So that's why I wanted to ask..." His fingers tremble as he produces a tiny black box, flicking it open to reveal a ring that sparkles see through in the sun. "Y/N, will you marry me?"

"Oh Jungkook," You throw your arms around his neck, overcome with emotion now as you capture his lips with your own. "Of course I'll marry you. You didn't even have to ask."

He lets out a sigh of relief, and then he's spinning you around in circles until you're both dizzy with love and belly laughter.

"I love you." He whispers, eyes shiny. His hand gently grasps your wrist as he slides the ring onto your finger.

You've heard him say it a hundred times before, but this time it's different. This time it's forever. Your heart flutters.

"I love you too, Kook."

Where there are new beginnings

Ocean City is the same as it always was.

You wake up each morning to the distant crash or waves, and you fall asleep each night to the tinkling fairground music that makes your heart sing. Tourists come and go, flooding the casinos and eating churros on the beach.

The Crestmont is doing better than ever. Once Taehyung took over as owner, the theatre became the heart of the city, attracting visitors from near and far to see the renowned plays directed by none other than Jeon Jungkook, the most sought after playwright and filmographer in all of the East Coast.

And then there's you. Ever since you starred in one of Jungkook's plays, about a girl from a seaside city moving to New York with big dreams, there's been no shortage of movie deals and acting opportunities thrown your way.

But in the end, you always find yourself coming back to Ocean City.

Tonight the Crestmont reopens for business after some much needed renovations. Taehyung is throwing a party, and there will be plenty of big Hollywood faces attending to see the brand new theatre and the updated __.

But one thing will always remain the same. The picture of your mom hung in the gallery. Her big smile is the heart of the Crestmont, greeting each and every visitor with pride.

And in the empty frame at the end of the wall of fame, there's a new picture.

You. Smiling, with your hair over one shoulder, just how you imagined. And beside you is Jungkook, with his arm wrapped around your waist and Taehyung holding Gureum and making a silly peace sign behind your head.

And you wouldn't have it any other way.

Okay so hi if you’re still here!! I decided to put this at the end because I didn’t wanna spoil the ending so please send love to @brekkiejeon !! They sent me the request for the ending of this fic all the way back in January and i’m trash and took like 7 months to finish writing it so i hope you enjoyed it even so lovely !!! <3 thank you for the request and sorry for the wait, this one really got me creative lol!

Also I’d like to dedicate the smut in this fic to @atastefulwonderland because I know you love some good ole JK loving!! Hehe, ily~~

Also lemme know if this was bad because I never usually give OC so much backstory because I want it to be as relatable to the reader as poss obvi but these characters wrote themselves lmao like i’m just the writer i had no control okay???? I just do what these mfkers say. LOL.

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nabrizoya · 3 years

Text

RoW Theories and Things I Want to See

with RoW literally a few weeks away, here’s some theories your way.

this is Really long. like, really very long; mind you.

Nikolai might become a disabled character.

It’s just the vibes. If we can take reference from the Too Clever Fox story, there’s a line that says “...and his [Koja’s] fur never quite sat right the same...”, which might hint at it (mostly bc i don’t want him to die). Also if this is indeed possible, it can be used to address ableism if it exists in this universe, especially since Nikolai is someone in the highest position of power.

Zoya will experiment the shit out of powers.

Idk why the synopsis says that using her powers might be a great deal, which tbf will be because she is truly the most most powerful atm; but Zoya wouldn’t mind taking the step outside of the old norms and bend the orders until they serve their purpose. That’s the entire goal rly.

But all along, she will consciously keep herself mindful to not hunger or discharge her power in a way that may cause harm. She knows the tyranny of the Darkling and the ways he employed. She knows better.

More character depth to Zoya.

Given the excerpts, the book does seem to explore Zoya’s infinite grief. And of course her Suli heritage, which a great part of the fandom consistently wants to shadow what with the talk “white features/ part Ravkan” bs.

But there’s more. I hope RoW will show Zoya’s dilemma (that was alr hinted in KoS) she has with the power she holds, the responsibility she has with having that power + using it in the way that will not be detrimental to her and the country. It will be a great way to portray her self-awareness and doubt and insecurity. She is a good leader, that much is told in text but not shown. There’s character development from the end of R&R until KoS that makes her evolve from a what she was then to the capable and mature 22 year old she is in KoS.

Of course all of their capabilities will come to light in RoW but I think Zoya and the agency to her as a character will play an integral part. More so because Zoya is to be the conduit to reversing the current Grisha orders, which runs in parallel with the fact that she needs to go back, go back to the roots of her Grisha knowledge and roots of her i.e. her unending grief and trauma.

She will need to forgive herself while also dealing with the guilt and anger she may have caused due to her position and power. All of this while dealing with her own complex and contrasting emotions due to her own trauma.

Nikolai is held for treason.

The word of allying with The Darkling may be out and that is enough reason for the entire country to turn against him. The secret about the monster causes issues more than enough already, and this will plunge the country into deep political turmoil and threats to security. So RoW will be more politically driven. That said...

There’s no overt war.

By this I mean that there will not be war on the battlefield, both armies or more charging at each others’ enemies and such. Ravka cannot afford one either. The excerpts have already proved that. There will be skirmishes akin to a war scenario, but a complete battle like the last battle in R&R? Like a final battle? That’s not going to be there, I think… What I’m assuming might happen is that the Fjerda and Ravka will take a possible Cold War route, if it isn’t already the case they’re already dealing with atm.

Ravka’s monarchy will collapse.

It may become a democracy or any other form of public or majority vote. But the monarchy (as well a possible dictatorship, esp with the Darkling returned) will be eliminated. ...Or so I hope, since it has been alluded to in KoS.

But that poses many problems. With no one line for the throne, let alone with a crime so dark like a blot on Nikolai’s skill (of taking the Darkling’s help), it is possible that Ravka will shun it, right alongside being torn about it because Nikolai has been, for the best of his ability, a good King. All of this in line with the Resistance rising in West Ravka.

This ties in with the court matters, especially if I want to hold the further points I make true. The resolution to acquit Nikolai of his charges requires a testification forth a jury which will then make a decision about his motives and future.

Zoya as the Interim Head.

After all of this, Zoya’s point about Ravka not accepting a Grisha Queen will be true after all, because there will be no monarchy to welcome such an arrangement.

But Ravka will need a good and trustworthy leader despite Grisha powers and Zoya is the best person to take care of that. The comment “...becoming a steady leader...” and the “Welcome home, Commander,” were there in KoS for a reason (and this is what I think it will link to).

That being said, there’s more nuance to this than my summary. Zoya is a character of colour. That—in addition to the already existing threats, objections and possible question of capability in the position—ill play into how she will be able to discharge her responsibility. It’s not going to be convenient.

EDIT: taken from a reblog/addition to the og post:

A smoother/more structured transition

Once after the monarchy collapses and a leader must be chosen, it will not be Nikolai. Nor will it be Zoya, though she might serve as an interim head. What I assume might be possible is that someone older is chosen, someone older and loyal and with the proof of knowledge and service to the country. Possibly by majority vote or elected by a council.

Instead of the sudden change, this can be a smoother (if that can even be said about such a major political scenario change) or more structured. I also say this because a. if Nikolai is indeed charged (and later acquitted), firstly his political career will already hold a blot if the word about using the Darkling as a resource is out and secondly, he’s way too young to serve as the leader (by modern standards, sure, but like, the required age will be set while drafting the constitution? currently its 35+).

Instead, the current cast can become representatives (which Zoya would already be, (mostly the head of the) international committee that safeguards the Grisha all over the world) and the Triumvirate will be dissolved. (it should be, tbh)

And hey, b. after all of this, they can and kind of need to take a step back. Nikolai and Zoya will be able to truly explore their relationship, given how Nikolai mentions how he wouldn’t marry unless he’d have had the chance to court someone and marry someone he barely knows nor knows him. For Zoya’s part, she does know Nikolai but surely probably not the extent of openness that a healthy relationship has, and on Nikolai’s part, he admits he barely knows her beyond as a General except for just little things about her.

They could be able to realize and work on their feelings while alongside being involved with the workings of the country and the constitution.

“One day you will overstep and I will not be so forgiving.”

Need I say more? Something that Zoya does will cost her Nikolai’s goodwill and we know Zoya knows her practicality and the extent to which she will unapologetically move if there is threat to the country and its King. She will do what was right and required.

A major part of that line ties in with Magnus Opjer and I think with the confidence in the versatility of her powers, Zoya might as well move w/o any word to the Triumvirate to eliminate the most direct threat to the throne. This will bring splits in Nikolai and Zoya’s relationship.

How this tension between them will be resolved without compromising either of their values, without playing into fandom stereotypes and others must be carefully handled. All of this while showing the best of their dynamicity, practicality and priority as they carefully pull out just those weak sticks of the jenga without putting the whole country into trouble. And with a war in plain sight, they’d know better than pointlessly argue and would rather see how the two of them are wrong. This ordeal will bring out just how condensed power is in the current scenario, imo.

Importance on the way women have shaped history.

Something that KoS has already set precedence for. Zoya being a PoC, Nina taking into account of the sufferings of women she comes across and the consistent ‘Who will remember them?’ will be elaborated on further. As for how it is done and how well it is done, that remains to be seen.

Baghra is alive but maybe not thriving bc she’s stuck in the Ice Court.

They entered a chamber where an old woman sat with her hands chained, flanked by guards. Her eyes were vacant. As each prisoner approached, the woman gripped his or her wrist.

A human amplifier. [...] But the Fjerdans used them for a different purpose – to make sure no Grisha breached their walls without being identified.

Kaz watched Nina approach. He could see her trembling as she held out her arm. The woman clamped her fingers around Nina’s wrist. Her eyelids stuttered briefly. Then she dropped Nina’s hand and waved her along.

Had she known and not cared? Or had the paraffin they’d used to encase Nina’s forearms worked?

- Chapter 22. Kaz; Part 4: Trick to Falling, Six of Crows.

Nina will be the one to free her and together they might wage a war from Djerholm together.

This gets even more interesting because we know the anguish and scorn that Baghra feels for her son at the same time; she understands the wrongness that he used to seek and will continue to. Zoya does take Baghra’s name at the Fold when she mourns and rages over how people forget the destruction and most importantly, forget the women. Baghra could be the symbol of the stag as the art piece depicts, or will be shown with relation to the Darkling’s powers.

As for how she will play into the story, perhaps she will be the one to help reverse and find the roots of the orders, in the sense that changes the perception of the Grisha powers for the Grisha as well as the common folk of Ravka. She is the only other person other than Juris and the Darkling to have the age of eras together, knowing Ilya Morozova, and she will be instrumental in giving Ravka an advantage over Fjerda. Either that or she will help in scrubbing the prejudices of Fjerda slowly away with whatever powers she has left. Or both.

Alina will reappear, but will not contribute to the plot significantly.

Zoya understands that the truth she knows about the Darkling is very minimal not enough to end him for once and for all. It makes sense that she will probably consult Alina for it. So, Malina appearance, possibly at the orphanage. Alina will not directly contribute to this war, but she will play a critical role in defeating the Darkling.

Besides, Alina —and Baghra— are the only ones who know that there has only ever been two Darklings. Zoya did sense, multiple times during KoS, that the Darkling is damn old. Yuri mentions it. And while it is not outright specified, the fact that Zoya thinks that she realizes just how ancient Lizabetha is in context of meeting the Darkling is enough proof for her to seek more information about the age and the older skill of the Darkling.

And I think it goes without saying that I want to hope that the Darkling and Alina will not meet. Pls, she’s had enough.

Lada is the lost, other friend that Zoya refuses to bury.

“She saw her mentor die and her worst enemy resurrected, and she refuses to bury another friend.”

Liliyana is dead, we know. But there’s no other mention of Lada except for the “wondering what happened to the pug faced girl.” Lada is possibly a part of the group of women and a Grisha returning to Ravka from Fjerda, exploited by the parem. She might die being unable to withhold the sheer torment of the parem induction, which will devastate Zoya because Lada was also the closest she’s had to a family with Liliyana.

Either that or Lada is already dead or dies some other way, and Zoya cannot bring herself bear the grief of losing her.

Cameos: Inej and Jesper.

The most likely of the crows to appear in RoW are Inej and Jesper and they’ll play equally important roles in the plotline. Here’s a breakdown of why:

Inej

Inej has taken the responsibility of becoming a slave hunter, and it makes sense for Inej to make an appearance in the book, given that there’s going to be a ship taking the Grisha from Fjerda to Ravka.

The women aboard are vulnerable and require immediate attention, which Inej will immediately zero in on. She will have enough reason to suspect both Leoni and Adrik on the ship, especially when the jurda parem is still a secret. Leoni and Adrik cannot give that information away because they don’t trust Inej (and have no reason to either). Inej won’t trust them either, not until she understands that the reason why the women are being taken to Ravka and for what reasons.

Which gives her excellent reason to step in, try to analyze the situation and help the women accordingly.

Here’s an exciting thought though. Once after the entire misunderstanding is overcome and Inej understands (esp. if Nina is brought into the conversation and security and secrecy of the conversation is ensured), there may be discussion about how the Grisha might find a safer space in Ravka.

Inej’s appearance might also extend to playing a pivotal role in giving Zoya the confidence to seek her heritage and where she hails from, to embrace the part of her past and forgive herself and others for her mistakes.

ALSO,

Grisha finding a safer space in Ravka will mean that Inej can pitch Jesper’s case for him to Zoya. Being the highest authority who takes cares of the responsibilities of the Grisha, Zoya will be the best person to talk about this with.

And so, here comes Jesper.

Jesper

For one, I wish Jesper and Leoni interact, talk and just bond like the iconic siblings they would be. <3 But more than that, Jesper plays very integral to the plot for more reasons.

Jesper’s arc will parallel Zoya’s. Both of them are new to their powers in their own individual sense; Zoya is trying to use her new powers in a way that hasn’t been done before, thereby breaking the Grisha orders of powers and Jesper (assuming he has decided that he might want to learn and embrace his Grisha powers) is learning them afresh.

This journey of them trying to embrace, learn and relearn and reject older norms and experiment really work in tandem.

That will lead us to a further (plot) theories.

Ties with Novyi Zem

As of the KoS end, Ravka has no support from anyone atm. Sure the Kerch will provide funds but Ravka has no real allies. Here’s where Novyi Zem and Jesper come in.

We know Novyi Zem is a new country and also that it is the second safest country for the Grisha in the universe. As of KoS, their agreements are not renewed and they would be since between Kerch and Novyi Zem, Ravka was forced to pick Kerch. Yet Ravka needs their help in acquiring jurda for the antidote.

So here’s the deal: Ravka will get their jurda but at many conditions that the Novyi Zem will impose on Ravka to not let exploitation get in the way.

The conditions imposed could be (these are just some at the top of my head but I hope there are more to ensure the safety and security of the Zemeni, in Novyi Zem and in Ravka too) :

Naval support from Ravka

We know of the Zemeni ships and ofc Nikolai has been hard at work trying to develop plans to use the sea to its fullest advantage. While the news of the izmars’ya isn’t public, Zemeni can place a condition for technical aid from Ravka since Ravka does have the technical knowledge it can dispatch as a condition.

A Grisha School in Novyi Zem

Think about it. Ravka, despite being the safest place for the Grisha, still isn’t entirely safe. Not all Grisha become soldiers in Ravka, they have a choice to abstain but those who are training are still recruited a honed for purpose alike preparing for war, especially the teens and preteens from the time of the Civil War. The training does take a lot of time. Ravka intends to make a home first and then service, but at the moment, while the Grisha are provided safety, it’s not assured in the best sense. Both the facts about a home and service are in precarious positions atm.

TL;DR: Ravka isn’t entirely safe for Grisha therefore the Grisha themselves too are not + Ravka is war torn.

So what happens?

One of the conditions as the next best country that serves as home to the Grisha, Novyi Zem may put forth the prospect of building a Little Palace like institution for the Grisha in Novyi Zem. It sounds morally wrong in the sense that the Grisha there will also be trained for war, but the war will end and soon, the Grisha will not be subject to serve for something but engage in economic activities as anybody else with the progression of time.

All of this won’t happen immediately either; learning their powers, honing it in the way that is unocnventional from what it had been pre-RoW and that transition + the building of the establishment in Novyi Zem and laying foundation for the transnational panel or committee for Grisha that Zoya talks about will all take so much time.

A few Grisha representatives from Novyi Zem can learn at the Little Palace and by the time the construction of the institution is done in Novyi Zem, these Grisha, along with other willing Grisha who either want to return to the country they were born in (like Leoni) or are offered to teach in a different country can do so too.

There will be stricter terms so as to not ensure exploitation and possible colonization in these nations.

Zoya mentions in one of her chapters that eventually there will be a need for the a transnational panel or committee for Grisha. Jesper can Zoya can make it possible, adding in other countries to the panel slowly as the war recedes.

Kaz and Wylan?

Least likely to make an appearance, in my opinion. I think they’ll be mentioned plenty of times or brought up once and given great importance for how they can help in the side plot.

Shu Support:

This is more a hope than an actually theory dfbkdhjadfh but Makhi might have to step down from the throne because Ehri will take the place; either as a Queen (no...) or she might oversee the process of strengthening Shu Han and finding a leader (if she doesn’t want to become one herself).

Ehri is capable, more than capable despite the little we know of her from the last chapter in KoS. All I hope is for an understanding and friendship between Nikolai and Ehri (and the subsequent cancelling of the marriage duH) for this to happen. She has little interest in statecraft but with the time she might spend with Nikolai, she might change her views. Even if not then she still gets the happy ending she deserves with Mayu (which is canon at this point rly).

Emotional Development or Breakdowns

Okay but I really, really, really hope we get to see all the three protagonists lose their shit and deal with their trauma, seek help or trying to stop isolating themselves or anything else they do to cope? Nina, Zoya and Nikolai, all of them cry, all of them get to completely lose it, let themselves be human and healthily cope and learn to rely on the people they trust the most. Like the sheer power and potential to show the myriad of ways to deal with grief, sadness, stress and more and make use of the trio’s backgrounds to show healthy and diverse ways of helping themselves, by letting themselves and others help them is just *combusts* Incredible!

That being said, can I also ask for moments of fear and desolation from the side characters too? Impending war isn’t small business, it will take its toll on people, and all these reactions just cement their fears and what they value the most so. pls. Humanizing them rly.

The Saving Each Other

As much as I mostly kinda hate this trope, there are traces in the KoS that Zoya might be the one to end Nikolai’s affliction. On the other hand, there is talk of Nikolai helping Zoya control her powers which seems counterintuitive when you consider that Zoya knows that there is a line that she must never cross and that she is very, very careful about it and will continue to be.

They can instead be the ones who motivate each other in times of distress as they always do (as shown with how Nikolai tries to gain control over his monster during the burning thorn ritual in KoS, allowing himself the vulnerability but also knowing that giving up will be unforgivable to both himself and Zoya as well) but I seriously do not wish for each other to be the ones directly ending one another's misery. Or perhaps this is just a fear imo that Leigh wouldn’t even take the route of (in which case, thank fuck).

Stab Stab Stab

Zoya gets the chance to kill the Darkling with the rest of her friends. After all, Darkling does call them all his old friends. Just Julius Caeser him all the way and put a bow tie on the book. *chef’s kiss* Everybody deserves a second chance... at ending a tyrant when it fails the first time.

So far, this is it. Rule of Wolves is in less than a few weeks and im- asdfghjkl. not Ready. i’m more Worried than Ready.

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myghostmonument · 4 years

Text

13xReader: Inhibitions

Notes: I’ve been writing a lot more “canon” pieces recently (non-readers, posted on my ao3), but it feels nice to go back to my fandom roots, so to speak, and finish off some requests like this one! Each style has its own challenges to work through, and it’s fun to move between them and keep things interesting. I plan to keep writing for both, so no worries to anyone who prefers one over the other. This is, as always, gender-neutral for the reader, and is also border-line a disaster!reader fic, a loose characterization style created by the incredible @lilaccoats that I stole bc she loves me

Summary: The Doctor takes you and the fam to a trendy bar, promising a night of relaxation and fun. Shenanigans ensue when you maybe-not-so-accidentally get a little too inebriated.

Warnings: Alcohol consumption, drunkenness, hangovers, mentions of vomit, and attempted assault. It’s more an uncomfortable conversation than anything, and nothing graphic happens, but please be warned!

WC: 7500 please don’t look at me like that I just picked at it to unwind as I worked on my zine piece and it got entirely out of hand honk honk goes the clown mobile

The decision to go to a bar had been Ryan’s. That alone, that the destination had been picked during his turn, ought to have been enough forewarning; it seemed that whenever a trip went sideways, it almost always fell on Ryan’s turn (or the Doctor’s, but you and the others excluded that data — her choices were always catastrophes and not worth including in the risk analysis amongst yourselves).

But faced with the usual question of “where and when to next?”, Ryan had requested a bar, and the Doctor had delivered. You had landed on an asteroid, which according to the Doctor was the location of a top-notch bar, situated along a very popular intergalactic trading route. It was certainly busy, as you all left the TARDIS in an alley and approached the sleek, shiny building; there was a short queue to get in, but people — aliens and humans both — congregated in clumps around it and as you moved through the line and entered the bar, you even looked up and noticed people on the roof.

“So,” Yaz said, propping a hip against the bar counter and taking in the sights. “This is where the great Ryan Sinclair works his magic.” She let her eyes rove around the noisy crowd, and grinned over at Ryan. “You feeling right at home then?”

Ryan shot her a scowl, his hands shoved firmly in his pockets. “Ha ha,” he said. “This is not what I had in mind when I suggested drinks.”

“What?” The Doctor asked, looking around at him. “Really? I thought I did all right.” She put her hands on her hips, surveying the crowded, noisy bar.

“Well I think it’s great Doc,” Graham said, already perusing a menu with interest. She beamed at him.

“Thank you, I try my best,” she said. She had her hands in her coat pockets, something that usually indicated she was being (or feeling) cautious. In this case, you thought she was merely trying to avoid knocking into anyone, or any drinks; the bar (if that’s what it was, it did seem more like a sort of club) was packed with people, and it would be all too easy to hook an elbow or bump a precarious drink.

Yaz and Ryan were still bickering, and although you generally enjoyed wading into those sorts of things, a menu caught your eye and you pulled it closer. You could read it, thanks to the TARDIS’ help, but translation could only go so far.

“Are these all alcoholic?” you wondered aloud, frowning at something listed as a Greyhound.

“Are they even all drinks?” Graham added, and you glanced up with a smile, knowing he was hoping for food.

“I think so,” the Doctor answered, moving over to you. She reached over to pull your menu towards her, and her sleeve brushed against your shoulder. “Hmm,” she said, still standing very close. “Sorry Graham, all liquid.” She didn’t actually sound all that sorry, you noted. Graham obviously noticed it as well, because he gave a theatrical sigh.

“Every drink has an inebriation agent of some sort,” the Doctor continued, scrunching her nose. “Different sorts for different races and species, this is a very diverse bar.”

“Are they all safe for us?” Yaz asked, also crowding your shoulder to look at the menu.

“Y-e-s,” the Doctor said slowly, followed by an “actually no,” and an eye-roll from Yaz. “Well, sort of. Depends on what you mean by safe. Humans are common enough here, but some drinks will still have a stronger or weaker effect than they would for their intended consumer. They’re coded, see?” She flattened her (your) drink menu on the counter and pointed. “This is the symbol for human, with standard colour rankings. Green means intended for you, yellow means it will have less effect, and red more.”

“Get in,” Ryan said, and you knew without having to look that he was perusing the red-coded drinks.

“You don’t want to try a Red,” the Doctor said sternly. “It could have any number of effects.”

“That’s what I’m counting on,” Ryan muttered, and then it was Graham’s turn to bicker with him while you and Yaz scanned the menu.

“How do you think we order?” you wondered, after deciding to try the Greyhound, which was coded green. Yaz had decided on yellow-coded drink, which cited a lack of alcohol. Its kick came from the flavor combination and carbonation, apparently. Yaz’s particular choice sounded disgusting, and you were very much looking forward to watching her try it.

“Yeah, I don’t see a barkeep,” Graham added, craning over the counter and apparently done with trying to persuade Ryan to make good choices. “Though I suppose you might not be able to pick one out from this mess.” It was true; though you were congregated around a counter, there was no discernible life-form keeping tabs or otherwise running it, and the crushing ebb and flow of the crowd was a confusing riot of clashing voices and species. Over it all thrummed the heavy beat of music, alien but still somehow recognizable as upbeat and catchy. You had the distinct sense that this was a trendy bar, and wondered how the Doctor even knew about it.

“It’s simple,” the Doctor said, and she bent over you to again point at the menu, her arm resting against yours. “You see this bit here? You press it with your finger, then press the box next to the item you want.”

“How’s that work then?” Ryan asked dubiously.

“It’s DNA activated,” the Doctor said calmly, as if that were in any way a normal thing for a drinks menu to be. “We were all scanned when we walked through the doors, didn’t you notice?”

“Did we notice the DNA scanners in an alien bar filled with aliens?” Graham asked. “No, must have slipped my mind Doc, no idea how I missed them. ”

“Well,” the Doctor said loftily, “you were scanned. So order your drink like I said, and it’ll be brought to you.” She bent over her menu, some of her hair brushing against your face. You sat very still, swallowed, then reached for a menu and dragged it towards you (seeing as how your own had been commandeered.)

After some consideration you ordered your Greyhound, and it arrived in an interesting, fluted sort of glass, delivered by a waiter. The drink was a pleasing sanguine colour, complete with a wedge of fruit on the glass rim. The whole effect was quite good, too, which was more than Yaz could say for her yellow-coded drink, which she almost choked on. You didn’t deign to try it after that, but Ryan and the Doctor both made a big show of tasting it and being subsequently horrified. Graham, equable as ever, took the abandoned yellow in hand and sipped it serenely, something the rest of you took in with an impressed sort of horror. The Doctor drifted away shortly after with no drink of her own, which wasn’t too surprising; you rarely saw her ingest anything more than a taste of food or drink before flitting away, like some sort of overgrown and absent-minded hummingbird. Ryan and Graham wandered off too. You lingered at the counter with Yaz for a while, as she ordered a new (and improved) yellow-coded drink. You found your own glass empty, and after some hesitation, shrugged and ordered another Greyhound. It hadn’t been too strong; you simply felt warm, and bright. It was nice. Second drinks in hand, you and Yaz decided to do a circuit, it was dark and loud and you were quickly separated in the swirling crowd. No matter, you thought cheerfully, as you took another sip. You’d catch Yaz up eventually, no doubt. The music was blasting, and you unconsciously matched your footfalls to the beat, feeling it warm and sizzling in your blood along with the drink. You tipped the glass in your mouth at the end of the song, and were surprised to find it empty. “Well that’s rude,” you told the empty glass, which flashed in your hand in a thoroughly unimpressed manner. You pivoted in the press of bodies around you, trying to find a free table and a menu. You needed replacement drink, seeing as how your current one was clearly faulty. “Must’ve shorted me,” you mumbled to yourself. “Typical. Think I can’t handle my glasses - I mean, hounds. Dogs. Drinks.” You stumbled as you pushed through a group of people, but regained your stride easily enough. You even spotted Ryan in a shadowy corner, chatting with a very lovely alien indeed. She seemed to be trying to entice Ryan to dance; you wished her the best of luck. Ryan was a hilarious dancer. Not bad, but definitely hilarious, and he took some convincing. You reached a table on the edge of the dance floor, and pulled a menu towards yourself. It took you a couple of jabs to correctly order your Greyhound — your finger kept slipping. Or maybe it was the menu, actually. “Faulty drinks, faulty menus,” you complained to the room at large, leaning back against a pillar as you waited. The people swirling around you were difficult to focus on, and you wondered suddenly if the room was tilting — surely the room itself wasn’t faulty! “Have to get the foundations checked,” you informed the alien server who appeared with your drinks. They gave you an odd look and vanished. You reached for your drink, but paused, hand outstretched as you considered the not one but three glasses set before you. Two Greyhounds, and one that was something else, a smaller, opaque glass. The liquid shimmered in a very interesting way indeed, and it was difficult to look away. Well, perhaps they had brought you the extra drinks on the house, in order to make up for all the faults you’d been uncovering left and right. You stumbled as you pondered this, which as far as you were concerned was proof enough of the foundational flaws; you were, after all, standing still, so what other reason would you have to stumble? Unbelievable. You reached for the Greyhound, but your hand paused, then changed course halfway through and grasped the smaller, shimmering cup instead. It was very light in your grip. You tasted it and stumbled again; it had hit your tongue with a wallop, your entire body was fizzing with a bolt of what must be pure electricity, there was no other possible explanation. Everything around you was abruptly brighter, louder, richer. You blinked, fascinated. “Not too many humans can handle their reds,” a voice said next to you, and you set the cup down with a thud, squinting as the alien next to you came slowly into focus. “You usually so squiggly?” you asked him, and he titled his head, dark eyes moving from you to the half-drunk cup, and back again. His smile flashed in the low light, and for a moment it was all you could see, becoming somehow the brightest, sharpest thing in the room. “It’s a curse,” he said, and you nodded sagely, taking another sip. His eyes followed the cup, and his smile sharpened. “Could cut myself on that,” you observed. “Teeth,” you added, when he looked confused. Perhaps he was drunk; it was ridiculous how many people couldn’t hold their liquor! “Want to try?” he asked, and his hand was on your arm. You weren’t sure when it got there. “Excuse me?” you said, loftily, aiming for a bit of the Doctor in your speech. You thought you did quite well, but the alien didn’t look as annoyed as anyone on the receiving end of one of the Doctor’s questions usually did. Rude. “Do I want to try what?” you asked belatedly, and realized that you were being towed towards the dance floor. When had you made that decision? Time seemed to be leaping ahead and then stalling out in great lurches, and everything was fuzzy and dull. You felt the glass taken from your hand, and were vaguely surprised to find that it was empty again. Another faulty glass? Really? You might have to register a complaint. “Not a lot of humans here,” the alien said, and his hands were on your sides, moving you to the music. People pressed all around you, bumping your shoulders and making it difficult to get your bearings. Your shoes squelched on the slightly sticky floor as they moved. You wanted to stop and see if you could get the room to stop spinning so much, but the hands on you kept you in motion. The alien was speaking again, close to your ear so you could hear him over the din. “You come here alone?” he asked, his fingers warm against your side, and tight. You tried to pull back to get a better look at him but he kept you where you were.“No,” you said, blinking as you tried to orient yourself. Your eyes kept sliding in and out of focus. “Came with m’friends.” “And they left you all alone, to drink a red?” he murmured, and his grip tightened. He was pulling you across the dance floor; the light was fading, and you realized all at once, as you moved into a more shadowed section of the room with only the gleaming crescent of his smile visible, that you were actually quite drunk, and didn’t know where any of the others were. “Should - should get back to them,” you tried to articulate, and he laughed, one of his hands sliding lower. “You’re right where you want to be.” You stiffened, and tried to pull away. “No, I want to find my friends,” you slurred, jerking back. He held your arm, and pulled you into him in a great twirl, and suddenly your back was against a dark, slightly sticky wall. He loomed over you, one hand still vise-like on your arm, the other pressed against the wall by your head. He smiled down at you, except it didn’t really look so much like a smile anymore, but just a lot of very sharp, gleaming teeth. Your face was very cold, and you wished the room would stop spinning enough that you could push him off and find the others. “I could be your friend,” the alien said, his breath fanning across your face, his hand sliding lower again. The hand on the wall touched your hair, curled a lock of it musingly through his fingers. “I just love red-drunk humans, all alone and lost and looking for a friend to help them.” You struggled again in his grip, and this time he let you go. You lurched sideways along the wall, falling against the corner in a heap. You thought you should feel sick, but you only felt annoyed, and cold, and something else, something like confusion that was tipping towards fear. The alien lifted you back up, hands on your arms, then pressed you back against the corner, his weight against you. Annoyance flared and you tried to push him away. “Let go,” you ordered, but he only laughed, touched your face. “You don’t want to be alone right now do you little Red?” he asked. “I’m sure that’s true,” a new voice interrupted. It had a familiar, lilting cadence, but you didn’t recognize the sharpness to it, or the way danger simmered beneath the surface. The alien didn’t glance away from you. “We’re busy,” he said, touching your face again. “Find your own —” but then he was ripped away from you in swirl of grey fabric and flashing eyes. You swayed, then jerked back as hands touched you again, but — “It’s okay,” that voice said, “it’s alright, it’s me,” and you recognized it this time. The Doctor tucked you against her side and you inhaled that familiar scent of tea and vanilla, and it cleared your head a little, enough to let out a shaky breath. “He’s being - rude,” you told the Doctor, your voice muffled as you glared at the alien. “Yes, he is,” she answered. Her voice was still light, and soothing, and you weren’t able to see the way she was looking at him. He scowled, gaze darting from you to the Doctor and back before making a dismissive sort of hand gesture and melting into the crowd. The Doctor stood very still for a moment, and you all you could hear was the thunder of her hearts. She let out a breath, then turned you. Again you found your back against that wall, only the hands on you were gentle, and cool. The Doctor touched your face as she looked at you, and that was better too. “Are you okay?” she asked, and you wondered at the appearance of that crease in her brow. She looked dangerous, in the half-light, but her hands were still so light. You nodded, and suddenly her grip on you was tight as she kept you from toppling over. “Wouldn’t - leave me alone,” you told her. “Rude.” “You already said that,” she observed, removing one of her hands to fish in a pocket for her sonic. You blinked at her, swaying on your feet as she ran it over you. She read the output and exhaled. “Tell me you didn’t drink a red.” “I didn’t drink a red,” you repeated dutifully, and watched as her entire face scrunched up in exasperation. It was nice.“You’re so pretty,” you informed her. It was important that she knew in that moment how pretty she was, with her face all scrunchy and the flashing lights making a halo of her head. “So pretty. Too pretty.” You stumbled, and again she caught you. “Okay, I think it’s back to the TARDIS with you.” “Says who,” you slurred, even as she steered you away from the wall and towards the exit. “You’re not — you’re not the boss of me.” “I certainly am,” she muttered. “Especially when you’ve gone and had a red, and I explicitly told you it was a bad idea.” Her grip on your arm was firm and cool, and infinitely preferable to the alien’s. The other alien, that was, because obviously she was alien too. So many aliens! “You’re the best alien though,” you mused aloud, and she darted a quick look at you, tongue poking briefly out of her lips. You liked that quite a lot. You wanted her to do it again, in fact, but she had drawn her lips back into a thin line as she watched you. She steered you towards the exit, but the crowd seemed to have doubled in size, and she was forced to shove her way bodily through the dancing, yelling patrons. A much larger person staggered into her and she grunted as she took the blow. “I think I hate bars,” she said, her voice all but inaudible over the din. “That’’s new. Maybe.” Someone else knocked into her, and the force was heavy enough to jar your arms from her grip. She receded from you in a blurry tunnel of light and sound, and then it was just you, pressed between strange bodies on the dance floor while the music thundered through your bones. Huh. Almost everyone was taller than you, and you had no idea which way the exit was, or the Doctor. You didn’t care much about the exit, but it’d be good to find the Doctor; you had felt less…. fuzzy, when her hands had been on your arms, and more like yourself again. And also she was just so pretty. Wandering in a blurry haze of music and voices, you began to wonder if maybe you might locate another drinks menu. You weren’t so sure about another red, but it also didn’t seem like quite as bad of an idea as it had an hour ago. That was interesting. Weaving and stumbling, you tried to push through the press of bodies, and had made a little bit of progress when — — hands, there were hands on you again — You lurched sideways as you tried to bat those hands away, but there was nowhere to go, the wall of people bounced you back, and the lights were flashing and people were shouting and there were hands on you again — “ - alright? Hey?” The hands succeeded at spinning you around, and a person loomed out of the crowd. Two things followed in short order: you recognized Yaz, and you threw out a defensive fist. They didn't happen in the optimal order, however. “Oi!” Yaz cried, dodging your fist and catching it in her own. “It’s me, what the hell?” She was still sliding in and out of focus, but you were aware of the fact that she was quite pretty too. "’M sorry,” you told her, wondering why she was pulling away from you. You hadn’t actually hit her, after all. Had you? “Sorry,” you repeated, swaying.She was peering at you, her hands firm on your arm. Her eyes were very dark, but they reflected the dancing lights all around you and you blinked, fascinated. “Are you okay?” she asked cautiously. “Absolutely corking,” you slurred, proud to remember the phrase you had heard Graham use (and Ryan mock) earlier. You weren’t sure why it made Yaz look so alarmed. “Yaz — oh, good —” The Doctor popped into your view as she squeezed between two dancing aliens who took no notice of her, which was probably good because her expression was quite stormy indeed. She still looked quite pretty. How’d she manage that? It wasn’t fair. “Doctor,” Yaz said, turning, “I think something’s wrong —” “Someone decided that they should have a red,” the Doctor said, grim. “I also had two - three - I had - greens!” you told them both, proud. Yaz’s look of alarm deepened, and it was so comical that you couldn’t help the laughter that bubbled up. When that did nothing except make her and the Doctor’s brows both snap into synchronized, angry little v shapes, you only giggled harder. “Right, TARDIS,” the Doctor said ominously. “Yaz, can you find Ryan and Graham and let them know?” Yaz nodded and between one blink and another, she had vanished again. “Just like magic,” you told the Doctor, wondering why your lips were numb. She gave you a swift, searching look, her eyebrows still angry little vs and her tongue still poking between her lips. “Come on,” she said, wrapping a cool hand around your wrist. The contact was steadying, and very nice. She kept you close, clearly not wishing to be separated again as she towed you towards the exit. “Don’t want to go,” you told her abruptly, and you couldn’t hear your voice over the crowd and the music. You didn’t even know why you said it; it wasn’t true, strictly. You still felt like you could fit in another drink or two worth of fun, but you didn’t really care where you went, not if the Doctor was with you. Even if she looked so angry as she glanced back over her shoulder. She had heard you, evidently. She had very good hearing; you and Ryan and Yaz had been working on an experiment to test the limits of it, but hadn’t put it in action yet. Someone bumped into the Doctor hard and she grunted, but her grip on you remained iron-clad and she pulled you closer, actually folding you into her arms to protect you from the jostling crowd.“This is not what I had in mind,” she muttered, her lips very close to your ears as she spoke. It was nice, and extraordinarily distracting. “Do people actually enjoy these places?” “Ryan does apparently,” you said, remembering him chatting up that pretty alien. “This was his idea wasn’t it?” the Doctor mused, moving again and pulling you with her. You were still very close. “I don’t suppose we’ll be letting him choose the next adventure. Ah. That’s better,” she added as she stepped out of the bar and into the night, towing you with her. A blast of cool, humid air hit you, wrapping around your body and cooling your cheeks. Even though the bar itself had been fairly dark, your eyes still relaxed as the flashing lights fell away.The Doctor let go, and the sobering effect of the night seemed to pull back, a little, as if you’d lost your anchor. The world tilted around you, the stars overhead wheeling and dancing. It made you feel a little bit sick, but it was also beautiful. The Doctor was talking, and you struggled to focus.“Think we parked just over there, yeah, must’ve. Let’s go — where are you going?” The last was delivered with an air of extreme exasperation as she turned in time to witness you bolting away. “I want to be colder,” you told her as you stumbled through the night. You were on pavement (alien pavement, anyways) but in the distance you could see the shadow of what had to be trees (alien trees) and maybe some grass (alien grass). You wanted nothing so much as to lay down on that grass. The Doctor’s protests followed you as you reached the tree and hurled yourself down at the cool earth. Well, not earth. Whatever passed for earth here. What was dirt on an asteroid called? A shadow fell over you, blocking the stars, and you turned your cheek in the grass to look up at the silhouette of the Doctor, hands on her hips, stray hairs blowing in the wind.“You’re sick, you need to get back to the TARDIS,” she said. “You’re sick, you need to get back to the TARDIS,” you replied cheerfully, and even though you couldn’t see her expression very well in the darkness and swirling stars, you could feel the scrunched-up scowl she leveled at you. “Come on,” she said, and her voice was exasperated but her hands were gentle as they lifted you off the ground. Gentle again, as they caught you when you stumbled sideways. “Careful, now. Come on.” “Don’t feel - so good -” you told her, and it was true; the fuzzy, warm glow was fading and the whirling of the stars wasn’t so much aesthetically pleasing as it was now sickening. “I expect not,” the Doctor muttered. “What could have possibly possessed you to drink so much? To drink a red?” “I didn’t mean t’ order it,” you defended yourself. “It was just - just there.” “And you drank it? Something you hadn’t ordered?” the Doctor demanded. “Surely you know not to do that!” “Just trying to have fun,” you mumbled, guilt rising up in you alongside the nausea. “Just wanted — didn’t mean to — I wasn’t —” “Okay, it’s okay, I know,” the Doctor said, her voice softening. She shifted you against her as she spoke, and you realized she was fumbling for the TARDIS key. The blue box was humming at an almost inaudible frequency, but you could feel it moving through you bones, cooling your blood, steadying you. “Thanks,” you said weakly, patting a hand on the wood as the Doctor steered you through. The interior slights dimmed as you came in, and it was a soothing balm on your eyes and raw nerves. “She’s spoiling you lot,” the Doctor muttered, but you could hear the fondness threading through her voice. “She likes us,” you thought, or maybe said. The Doctor made a soft sound, not quite a word, and you weren’t sure if she’d heard you. Weren’t sure if you’d spoken. “Okay, try and eat this,” the Doctor said a few moments later. Or maybe hours, you still weren’t entirely sure how time was progressing. Her fingers brushed your lips as she placed a fizzing sort of tablet on your tongue, and you realized all at once that your lips weren’t numb anymore, but blazing with sensation. “Swallow it, it’ll help,” she added. You blinked, looking into her face, so close to yours. There was still that furrow by her eyebrow but she didn’t seem angry, anymore. Not like she had with she’d stared down that rude alien. Her eyes were bright, glittering like the star field outside of the bar. “Too pretty,” you complained, then promptly choked on the tablet you had forgotten on your tongue. “Swallow,” she repeated, placing two fingers on your mouth. Your breath hitched, which did not help the choking one bit. You did, at least, in the midst of the resulting coughing fit, manage to swallow the tablet, but it burned and your eyes streamed as you blinked at the Doctor. “Good,” she said, placing fingers under your chin. Her touch was somehow both cooling and blazing, comforting and so very distracting. You made an indeterminate sound, and her eyes flicked to yours, a brief touch, before flicking over your face. “That should kick in soon,” she said, dropping her hand. “Is it — gonna cure me,” you asked, and the breathless quality to your voice was due to the lingering affects of drunkenness, surely, and not the Doctor’s touch. She snorted, pushing hair out of her eyes.“It’ll speed up the process, burn the chemicals out of your system faster,” she said. “And it’ll make for a quicker hangover.” She fixed you with an amused look. “Quicker, but not easier. You’re in for a fun night, I think.” You groaned, throwing yourself down on the couch. You regretted it at once, as your head spun and your stomach roiled, but the drama of the moment had dictated.“I didn’t mean to,” you complained, shutting your eyes as the lights spun around you. The spinning didn’t stop, in the darkness behind your eyelids, but it was a little bit better. Maybe. A cool hand brushed your forehead, and that definitely was better. “I know,” she said, and you could hear the gentleness in her voice. “Am I going to die?” you asked, not because you thought that you were — you’d been sick before, though admittedly not from alien alcohol — but it had the right flair of drama to it. It also made the Doctor snort again, and regrettably, her hand slid from your brow. “You’re drunk, not dying,” she said, and her voice was receding as she moved around the room. “Humans and their substances, honestly.” Something was placed on your brow, cool and damp and soothing. The Doctor tucked the cloth against your head with deft, gentle fingers even as she continued to explain her thoughts on humans and all of their myriad of flaws. “You’ve never been drink — you don’t drunk —” You stumbled over the words, and felt her fingers still, then fall away from the cloth. You opened your eyes and with the room spinning and the dim light and the serious, difficult to read expression on her face, she looked as remote and otherworldly as she actually was for all that she was your friend. “Time Lords are an advanced race, we certainly don’t have the same genetic predispositions towards inebriation or the desire to attempt so,” she said finally, still looking down at you. You grunted, considering her words as they slid in and out of your head.“Didn’t answer the question,” you observed, and were rewarded with a scowl. “Hm,” was all she said, but she was smiling slightly. “Try to rest now, and if you need to be sick —” she kicked something on the floor that gave a hollow thud. “Try to aim in here, yeah?” “I am not going to be sick,” you said firmly, and the Doctor’s smile flashed in the dim light. “I hope not, the pill’s supposed to help with that but,” she shrugged expansively, and even through the spinning room you were able to focus in shocking clarity on the pull of her shirt across her frame she did so, “I don’t really know what combination of ingredients you drank, and how they’ll react to the other things you drank or your own biology. So. Bin.” She nudged it with a boot again. “I’m going to check on the others, and you’re going to stay here. I’ll be right back.” You didn’t want her to go, but you were feeling worse by the moment as the alcohol was burned out of your system and, as far as you could tell, migrated to your head. You could feel each heartbeat rattling in your skull like knives, and your roiling stomach kept speed with it. You moaned something that the Doctor took for agreement. Time passed, although you weren’t in any way able to keep track of it. You suspected it had been a century based on the pounding in your head, but it could have only been a few heartbeats. Either way, you were still alone when you realized that what you really needed was some water. Nobody was around to hear you, but you still complained and groaned and generally made a spectacle as you swung your legs off the couch, sitting upright. Your stomach made a solid pass at leaping out of your throat, but you steadied yourself with a snarl; you were not going to need the bin, you were not going to be sick. And you were right; all thoughts of nausea fled as you pushed yourself to your feet, because your skull might as well have shattered. Your headache pounded so violently that you thought it might be slamming you through the floor; it felt too heavy, too thick, too white-hot with blinding pain. Death was infinitely preferable to this miserable thing called life. “Never — drinking — again —” you vowed, swaying, hoping the floor might just swallow you whole and end your suffering. “A noble sentiment,” the Doctor said from behind you. “But one rarely adhered to, I suspect. What are you doing off the sofa?” She appeared at your side, a steadying hand on your elbow. “You didn’t sick up somewhere did you,” she added with sudden trepidation, looking around your feet apprehensively. “I just wanted something to drink,” you told her, wretched. Your head was still pounding, and even the dimmed lights were still too bright. They stabbed your eyes with sharp, splintering shards of pain. You groaned, and leaned your head instinctively against the Doctor’s shoulder. “I think you’ve had quite enough to drink,” she said, with a touch of asperity, but her hand was gentle as ever as she smoothed hair back from your forehead. “Water,” you clarified, your voice muffled from the folds of her coat. It was soft, and cool, and smelled like home. “Ah,” the Doctor said, steering you back to the couch. She eased you down again. “Stay, I’ll get you some water and a new cloth.” “Where are the others? Are they coming?” you asked miserably as she reappeared, setting a glass of water in your hands. It had a truly spectacular bendy, swirly straw that was almost as long as the glass itself, a vibrant purple and orange that hurt your eyes to look at, but you appreciated the gesture as you lifted it to your mouth with weak hands. “They’ll be here soon, they’re trying to find Ryan,” the Doctor said. The cushions dipped as she settled on the other end of the sofa. “They might have to expand the search,” you said, thinking of that alien he had been speaking with. You groaned as your head gave another spike of pain, and slid down the couch as sitting became too much effort. “Just rest,” the Doctor said. “It’ll pass.” “Promise?” “I promise,” she said, and your eyes were closed, but you could hear the slight smile in her voice. “I am the best alien, after all.” You could definitely hear the smile, now, and something niggled at your memory; you suspected that the Doctor was poking fun at something you had said while in the bar, but the memory was sliding in and out with tremendous spikes of pain and you let it go. You suspected that you had said many unfortunate things, and you could only hope that the Doctor hadn’t heard or remembered most of them. You drifted for a time, after that, surfacing to occasional bursts of pain or nausea or, more welcome, cool hands on your brow as they took your temperature or readjusted the the damp cloth. Clarity — and more importantly, an absence of that all-encompassing pain — arrived abruptly. You sat up gingerly, feeling weak and shaky and not even remotely good, but it was a normal not-good, not I’m going to die and if not I wish it would hurry up about it not-good. “Ah, here we are,” the Doctor said, and you looked over to see her curled up at her end of the couch, a book in her hand. She closed it and tucked it in the cushion. “Feeling better?” “Yeah,” you said, peeling off the now warm and dry cloth from your head. You looked down at it, then the mercifully empty bin at your feet. Something else rolled in your stomach, almost worse than the earlier nausea: shame, with a side of guilt. “Ah. Sorry, about all that,” you mumbled, darting another look at the Doctor. She was watching you, a slight smile curving her lips, but her eyes were sharp as they flicked over you, still assessing. “Accepted,” she said, scooting over to you and fishing her stethoscope out of her pocket. “Deep breath,” she said, resting it against your chest. “You don’t have anything to apologize for anyways,” she added. “It’s not your fault you got served a red, or that someone tried to take advantage of you for it.” You had forgotten about that, had forgotten about that other alien and his heavy, unwelcome hands, and his sharp, hungry smile. You shuddered, and the Doctor’s eyes touched your own, a welcome distraction. “I’m okay, you don’t need to waste time on me,” you muttered, but she was pushing a fresh glass of water into your hand. “Drink. And yes I do, or do you not remember bolting up and trying to climb the TARDIS console?” You goggled at her. “Apparently not,” she said with a wicked grin. “No, don’t apologize again, it’s okay. You got me out of that bar anyways, I really wasn’t vibing with it. ”You had been awash in horror at your actions, but the Doctor’s last words snapped you out of it. “Vibing with it?” you repeated, incredulous. She shot you a look, tongue poking slightly between her lips.“Yeah, am I using that right? Ryan taught me.” You were still goggling at her, but the sound of a door opening and a rush of voices distracted you both. “Ah, finally,” the Doctor said, brushing off her legs and standing up. “I wonder what kept them. We’re in here,” she added, pitching her voice to carry to the others and making no effort to define where “here” was; it was obvious to her, and that apparently was to be enough for everyone else. It was very her. Everything she did was very her, you mused. Not just because it was her doing them, but because she did everything with such one-hundred percent commitment, energy, and enthusiasm. You smiled slightly, watching her as she stood with her hands on her hips. She’d taken off her coat at some point, and she looked smaller without it, more wild and fleeting, something ephemeral. She glanced over her shoulder at you and smiled when she met your eyes. That smile was also wild, fleeting and ephemeral, but it grounded her, a little bit, in the here and now. And you, too. “Hello,” Yaz said, stepping into the room. She looked tired, her hair coming out of its braids, her jacket mussed, but it was a happy sort of tired. “Have fun?” The Doctor asked as Yaz threw herself down on the couch next to you. “Yes,” Yaz said, leaning her head back on the cushions. “Not as much fun as some other people, though,” she added, and turned her head to fix you with her dark, glittering eyes. “How are you doing?” “I feel like death,” you told her, and stuck out your tongue when she grinned. “That’s what you two get for going off-book,” she said smugly, wiggling her shoulders deeper into the couch and kicking off her shoes before lifting her legs and curling them up on the couch. “Oi, I didn’t drink a red,” the Doctor said, indignantly. “Not that I would have been affected, if I had. You humans are so — ” “She been going on like this the whole time?” Yaz asked you, and the Doctor gave her a dark look. You giggled, and it only made your head split down the middle a little bit. It was worth it, for the expression on the Doctor’s face. “Definitely,” you confirmed, wincing as you lifted a hand to rub your temples. “This is the thanks I get, for spending my night chasing after red-drunk humans? Mockery and false accusations?” “Not you,” Yaz said, rolling her eyes. “I was talking about — “ “Hellooooooo TARDIS!” “That,” Yaz finished, turning to watch as Ryan crashed into the room, with an aggrieved Graham in his wake. The Doctor groaned, throwing her hands up. “Ryan! Not you too!” “Guilty your honor,” Ryan crooned, spinning a wild circle and narrowly avoiding the couch with his flailing feet. You hastily copied Yaz, drawing your feet up onto the cushions and settling in to watch the show. “I’m in love, I’m in love, I’m in love! Congratulate me.” “You’re not in love, son, you’re drunk,” Graham said wearily, trying to grab Ryan, but he spun out of reach. And fell over. The room shuddered. You gasped, Yaz clapped a hand over her mouth, Graham cursed. The Doctor closed her eyes. “Ow,” Ryan said, but he was smiling beatifically up at the ceiling. “What happened?” The Doctor asked resignedly, crouching by Ryan and taking his pulse, then pulling out her sonic. He ignored her, still smiling happily up at the ceiling, his toes clicking together as he hummed. He was still firmly in the “fun” stage of the Red inebriation, it seemed. “What do you think, Doc?” Graham answered tiredly, moving to stand by them. “He wanted to impress a pretty girl.” “Did he?” you asked, interestedly. The situation was a lot funnier when it wasn’t happening to you, it turned out. “Well, he chugged a red and challenged some bloke to a dance contest,” Yaz said. She was grinning, and it was the grin of a sober woman witnessing the carnage wreaked by foolish friends. “We almost didn’t get him out of there.” The Doctor stood up, pinching her nose. She came to a decision.“Right. I’ll get him a pill, but I’ve done my babysitting duty for the night. He’s your problem after that.” She stode from the room, and you heard her mutter something about never going to a bar again. Yaz heard her too, and you shared a grin. Ryan, it turned out, had very little interest in taking the hangover-speed-up pill from the Doctor. It also turned out that red-inebriation or no, he could still move very quickly, and it took the combined efforts of Yaz, Graham and the Doctor to get the pill in his mouth. You filmed most of on your phone you'd fumbled quickly out of a pocket, which as far as you were concerned did just as much to help the situation as any of them. The Doctor threw herself down on the sofa next to you with an explosive sigh. “I am never,” she said, tipping back her head, “taking humans to a bar. Ever again.” Ryan moaned from the floor, punctuating the statement with eloquence. Yaz sat down on the Doctor’s other side, then scooted over to make room for Graham who was looking silent and shell-shocked. You found your shoulders rubbing the Doctor’s, and you curled your feet up under you to make more room while leaning your head against her shoulder. You could hear her twin heartbeats, and after a moment she rolled her head so that her chin was resting in your hair.“You’re all on probation,” she said, firmly. You hummed skeptically, and Yaz snorted. Graham was still grimly silent, but you knew he’d come around. Silence, for a moment, interrupted only by Ryan’s increasingly pathetic moans.“Shall I pop in a movie?” Yaz asked finally. “Go on then,” the Doctor said, resigned, but you could hear the smile in her voice. “We’re going to be here for a while.” “‘’m never drinking again,” Ryan groaned from the floor. He clapped his hands over his ears as you all began to laugh, which did exactly nothing to help. “Humans,” the Doctor said to the TARDIS ceiling, but she was still smiling. “You love us,” Yaz said, standing up and moving to put on a movie. “Yeah,” the Doctor said after a moment, so softly that you thought you might be the only one who heard it. “I do.”

#this isn't exactly an example of uh #good writing #but I hope you enjoy it nonetheless #it WAS fun to write #request #mine #writing #13th doctor x reader #thirteenth doctor x reader #nb reader #back to my regularly scheduled circus performances now

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valar------morghulis · 4 years

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Most Expensive Food in the World (Revealed)

because the food programme explores in ‘britain's mystery saffron story’, the pink spice is one of the international’s most high priced substances – really worth more according to ounce than gold. However what other ingredients would provide the sought-after spice a run for its cash? What is it that makes these merchandise so luxurious? And are they surely well worth their charge tag? Here are some of planet earth’s maximum pricey foodstuffs. How many have you tried?

1. Saffron

if your rice is luminous yellow, then the chances are it’s been sharing a saucepan with saffron. The spice, nicknamed ‘pink gold’, is the shiny crimson stigma (or threads) from a crocus flower, and it’s used as a colouring agent in meals. Why does some thing so small value so much? It's miles, weight for weight, extra costly than gold itself. The motives are easy: saffron crocuses only flower for per week or a year inside the autumn; harvesting the spice is labour in depth (it’s amassed and processed through hand); and each small flower has simplest 3 stigma this means that it takes around soccer pitches of crocuses to create a kilogram of saffron. That’s as many as 300,000 flowers! 2. Caviar

caviar is the pickled roe of the sturgeon fish, and considered one of the international’s great delicacies. It’s difficult to handle and package deal but, extra significantly, it’s relatively uncommon. The most well-known caviar is from the beluga sturgeon – observed in the caspian and the black sea. Now seriously endangered, very little of its eggs may be bought legally. It takes up to two a long time for the beluga sturgeon to attain maturity and it’s grownup length! Even rarer is the roe from the albino sturgeon - now nearly extinct in its native environment. In keeping with the guinness international data, the maximum expensive caviar recorded is from an elderly (probably 100 year-antique!) albino beluga sturgeon whose white caviar offered for about $34,500 in step with kilogram. My cod that’s steep! 3. Oysters

now taken into consideration a luxury, oysters haven’t continually been the food of the filthy wealthy. Within the early nineteenth century oysters were reasonably-priced as chips and an crucial food source for the working classes in coastal communities – a snack so plentiful that they were used to bulk out meat pies. From plentiful to rarity, the fee of oysters has gone up drastically! But overfishing and pollutants have had a catastrophic effect on oyster shares and shortage has bumped up their cost. A dozen in a top london seafood eating place will set you back round £fifty one. It seems a few human beings are satisfied to shell out for a slimy mollusc or … of route, you’re also buying the oyster’s infamous aphrodisiac characteristics. Be careful who you dine with! 4. White truffle

discovered within the piedmont place of northern italy, exceptionally esteemed white truffles will best develop amongst the roots of sure trees, are a great deal scarcer than every other form of truffle, and feature a in particular extreme flavour and aroma. They are able to’t be cultivated or grown – although folks have attempted for generations to farm the truffles, they are able to nevertheless most effective be sourced within the wild. It's miles this unpredictability, at the side of the lengths people go to to locate and harvest them, which leads to their hefty fee tag. The report sum paid for a unmarried white truffle changed into via macau casino proprietor stanley ho in 2007. He splashed out $330,000 (£165,000) for one among the largest muffins exposed in decades – weighing 1. Five kg. A quite exceptional rate for a pungent underground fungus. 5. Iberico ham

a sort of cured ham produced in spain and portugal, the finest iberico ham is from free variety pigs that have a food plan of only acorns over the past duration in their lifestyles. The class of iberico ham is extraordinarily strict, with ‘black label’ ham considered to be the very excellent – made out of natural-bred iberian pigs, roaming very wellforests and feasting on acorns. On top of that, the ham is cured for a prolonged 36 months! In keeping with the guinness global records, the maximum high-priced leg of ham commercially to be had is an iberian ‘manchado de jabugo’, retailing at a whopping £3,192. 76 (as of 20 march 2016). Despite the fact that the pigs are reared for just 3 years, the ham legs are then cured for up to six! 6. Wagyu beef

wagyu in reality translates as ‘japanese pork’, and it can come from any of 4 one of a kind breeds of eastern cow. The meat is intensely marbled with fats, which renders down during the cooking procedure to make the meat smooth, moist and soften within the mouth. Some enthusiasts describe it as falling aside like a tender piece of fish. The excessive price factor is all down to the rearing procedure: to qualify for the wagyu mark the cows must be reared and fed in line with strict recommendations, with calves being given special feed to guarantee the signature fatty marbling. Kobe pork, one of the maximum pretty-prized, fetches as much as £500 a kg in japan. That’s a number of moo-ney. 7. Kopi luwak espresso

good enough, so technically it’s a drink. However with luggage of kopi coffee promoting for as much as $seven hundred in step with kg, it’s honestly worthy of its location in this list. Kopi luwak, or civet espresso, is made from espresso beans eaten, partly digested and then defecated by means of the asian palm civet or civet cat. Doesn’t sound all that appetising? Continually test wherein your coffee comes from. A few believe that the part digestion and fermentation caused by the animal’s belly acid complements the flavor of the coffee, with other critics in settlement that it’s simply a gimmick ensuing in a in reality horrible coffee. Unluckily, there are growing numbers of extensive civet farms, in which animals are restricted to cages similar to battery hens, and pressure-fed. It’s well worth doing your studies earlier than shopping for. 8. Foie gras

foie gras is a costly pâté made from duck or goose liver that has been fattened (to up to ten times its ordinary size). The flavour is wealthy, buttery and delicate and the product pricey however the birds pay a better rate than we ever will – the geese and geese are force-fed corn through feeding tubes. It’s a practice dating lower back to as early as 2500 bc, whilst the historical egyptians found out that many birds can be fattened via compelled overfeeding. Nowadays many countries have laws in opposition to the practice, and the production, import or sale of foie gras.

#food list

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skulldxddy · 5 years

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Character Sheet: Guzma.

Basics

Full name: ??? Just goes by Guzma. Nickname(s): Big G, Skull King, boss man, bug boy Title(s): Team Skull Boss Sex: Male Gender: Male Height: 6′8″ (6′5″ usually bc slouching) Age: 22/24 (Post Game) Zodiac: Aquarius Spoken languages: English / Alolan

Physical characteristics

Hair color: Black (Natural), Black and white (dyed) Eye color: Silvery. Faint notes of a kinda lavender colour if ya look close enough. Skin tone: Tanned (half Alolan) Body type: Stocky / lanky Voice: Machine Gun Kelly gives you a good general idea he’s basically IRL Guzma Dominant hand: Ambidextrous, favours left. Posture: Fucked. Keeps himself wide yet slouches over constantly. Scars: Scattered all over. Most prominent on his back, shoulders and arms (self-inflicted). Scar across nose bridge half-connecting to his lower left eyelid. Poorly healed stab wound scar above left hip bone. Tattoos: Skull insignia on both forearms. Tribal Wimpod half-sleeve around left bicep. Spiderweb between his neck and shoulder. Live Laugh Love on his right ankle he got for shits and gigs while drunk. He has more though I’m still designing these. Birthmarks: None. Most noticeable feature(s): Eyes. Always the eyes. His sheer height and overall swagger. His fucking stupid glasses, his hair. Pretty much all of him; he aims to stand out and it works.

Childhood

Place of birth: Malie City Hometown: Route 2, Melemele Island Birth weight/height: Average First words: “Stop” Siblings: None Parents: Hal (father), Leila (mother) Parental involvement: Absolutely detests his father, disowned. Rocky relationship with his mama but they do love each other, and Guzma still feels guilt over leaving her. He’s cut off contact entirely from both and actively avoids them. Reconciles with mama in post-game. Children: None. Ever. His Skull fam keeps his hands full.

Adult life

Occupation: Does drug dealer count No occupation -- gang boss. Current residence: Po Town Close friends: Plumeria. At this point in time there’s really not many he’d consider himself close-close to mostly because he doesn’t wanna let people in. Relationship status: A destructive open relationship with Max. Gets more healthy in the post-game, though it’s still quite bumpy what with them being major league disasters. Financial status: Sometimes broke, sometimes loaded. He’s terrible with money. Criminal record: Burglary, physical violence, DUI, theft, petty vandalism, petty crimes, pickpocketing, drug dealing, drug possession, public indecency, general public nuisance. Vices: Smoking, drinking, substance abuse, sex, many forms of self harm, pulling out hair.

Sex & romance

Sexual orientation: Bisexual Preferred emotional role: submissive | dominant | switch Preferred sexual role: submissive | dominant | switch | Doesn’t care Libido: Very high. Turn ons: Rough sex, confidence, experience, use of substances, smoking, pet names, praise, power play, wrestling, dirty talk, teeth, biting, some blood play, rope, breath play, hair pulling, being dominant, pet play. Anything that isn’t in turn offs, he’s willing to try once. Turn offs: Inexperienced partners -- he’ll try ‘em, but he’s hesitant. Some degradation -- he’ll give if it’s asked for but he’s extremely selective when on the receiving end. Age play, scat. Love language: Lots of cuddling. Going out of his way to be around / in contact with you. Possessiveness. Showing off in front of you. Annoying the shit out of you. Sharing his weed and other stuff with you. Allowing you into his throne room without his permission. Relationship tendencies: Demiromantic/borderline aromantic ‘til he met Max. Any other relationships lean platonic or sexual because anything else’d take a fucking miracle.

Miscellaneous

Character’s theme song(s): My Name - From Ashes to New. Hobbies to pass time: Substances, napping, video games, making art, designing clothes, surfing, late night walks, battling and training, sex, dancing, listening to music. Mental illnesses: Bipolar disorder, of the type 1 variety. ADHD. Self harm. Extremely addictive tendencies. It’s not diagnosed but he shows signs of anxiety in certain situations. Physical illnesses: Nothing debilitating. His body posture is a little fucked from minor spinal damage suffered in childhood. His signature slouch is his internalised posture due to this. Left or right brained: Heavily left. Fears: Failure---failure to be a good leader to both his homies and his Pokemon, failure to leave his mark on the world. Letting people in, his father, tall women. Unfamiliar environments. Men like himself. Abandonment. Loss of control / self. Bewear. He fucking hates Bewears. Self-confidence level: Appears very confident, to the extent he believes he is. Vulnerabilities: His anger, easy to provoke. His father. Obsessive / addictive tendencies. Low self-esteem -- prone to manipulation because of this. Don’t call him weak.

tagged by: @maxskulline the BABE. tagging: think pretty much everyone did this so if by some miracle you ain’t . . . there it is.

#;DASHGAMES #[ ✖ ] BIG BAD HEADCANONS.

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marvelhero-fics · 5 years

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A Very Happy Birthday

Pairing: Steve Rogers x Reader

Request: @fabolous-stark hii can i please request an imagine where steve/bucky (pick one its up to you) pleases a reader bc its her birthday or maybe vice versa haha tysm love your work 💓💕💕(and also dont forget the bdsm stuff please or maybe some denial lmaoo im sorry for my dirty mind) but either way thanks ❤️ hope u get what i mean💕💕

Summary: Steve takes you home after your birthday party and gives you the best present ever

A/N: Firstly thank you for the request, I loveeeeeed it. I decided to pick Steve because I’ve been having huge Steve feels lately. I hope it’s alright??? It’s also very smutty so watch out. Hope this is kinda what you wanted! xx (Sorry it took a while! I’ve been working on heaps of requests!)

Word Count: 3,031 (oops)

Warning: smut, oral (female receiving), fingering, sex, unprotected sex, light bondage, orgasm denial (kinda), heavy smut, like very smutty, definitely R18

“Yea, I was honestly surprised he could drink that much too.” You grinned, your arm linked through Steve’s, your hand firmly holding his muscular forearm. The two of you strolled through the hallway of the Avengers compound en route to your apartment. You mindlessly laughed at his response about Sam’s alcholistic tendencies, too focussed on what you hoped would happen once you two finally reached your room.

Today was your birthday. It wasn’t something you’d really celebrated after your 21st, it just kind of became another day of the year. But once Tony had gotten word that it was your birthday, he’d immediately organised a massive, overly-extravagant party. Initially the guest list was about a mile long, but you’d managed to squeeze it down to around 80 people, which of course was pushing it for Tony’s minimum limit.

The handle of the door made a click as you turned it, slowly opening the door to reveal your apartment. Steve stood next to you, his hands shoved in his pockets with a comforting smile plastered to his face.

“Well, this is me.” You smiled back. “Thanks for walking with me.”

“Oh, don’t mention it.” He replied. The hall fell silent. You could feel your heart beating in your throat as the awkwardness arose between you. Fuck it. You stepped towards the staunch Captain in front of you, closing the gap that held your bodies apart. Your hands immediately rose to grab Steve’s face and pull it towards yours, your lips connecting in the middle. After a moment, Steve’s hands finally moved from his pockets to grab your hips, tugging your body even closer to him. Your soft lips moved effortlessly against his, your tongue taking no time to find its way to his, each dancingly passionately around the other. Wow, Steve was a good kisser. Eventually, each of you pulled back, shattering the moment.

“Uhm, would you like to come in?” You asked sheepishly, almost trying to avoid eye contact.

“Yea, I think that would be a good idea.” He replied, gulping slightly.

“Yea, definitely.” You returned, your swollen lips finding his again, re-connecting the passionate kiss you previously shared. Steve’s hands trailed from your hips down to your ass. He hoisted you up as if your body weight was nothing, your legs instinctively wrapping around his waist. Clumsily, he walked into your apartment, not really sure as to where he should be going.

“Kitchen.” You mumbled into his mouth, pointing in its general direction, neither of you wanting to break the heated make-out. You squeaked slightly when a shiver shot through your spine as your upper-thigh connected with the cool marble of the kitchen island. The kiss became sloppy as the both of you began shedding your clothes. First, he stripped off his jacket while you untied your heels, letting them drop to the floor. He slipped each shoe off while unzipping the back of your dress. Your mouths finally disconnected as he helped pull your dress from your figure. His fingers slipped under the straps of your dress and pulled them down your arms, exposing your lacy bra. You rested your arms behind you to prop your hips up while Steve fully removed the dress from your frame, discarding it to the side. Your hand reached up to grab Steve’s tie, tugging it lightly to pull his body back towards yours.

“Your turn.” You whispered seductively as you undid his tie, stripping it from his neck. Steve’s breath hitched in his throat slightly as he was frozen in his tracks. The two of you had wanted to do this for so long. After a second he regained his senses and began undoing the buttons of his shirt in a hurry. His soft lips returned to connect with yours, his mouth taking no time to force your mouth open, tongues battling each other for dominance. Your legs instinctively curled around Steve’s hips again, pulling his body even closer to you. His unbuttoned dress shirt hung off his shoulders, showing off his chiseled chest, while his length in his pants looked like it was about to rip his zipper open.

The passionate kiss came to a halt as he dragged wet kisses from your lips to your neck leaving dark love bites on your skin. His hands returned to your back to unhook your bra, letting it fall to the ground. Steve’s mouth moved to connect with your nipple, earning a groan from your delicate lips. His tongue traced circles around your sensitive nipple, causing your back to arch, pushing your chest towards him. You bit down on your lip to stifle the moans that threatened to spill. You didn't want him knowing how quickly he could turn you on.

His rough hands traced down your ribs to fold into each side of your underwear. He tugged slightly, signally for you to hold your body up so he was able to tantalisingly strip them from your legs, leaving your bare entrance open for his view. He pulled away from your nipple to gaze at your heat for a moment. His tongue trailed a wet lick across his bottom lip before he grasped his lip between his teeth with a delightful hum.

“Like what you see, Captain?” You enquired, a cheeky grin plastering itself on your face as you spread your legs further open for him. There was no reply, he simply lowered his body down so his head sat between your legs. His arms each snaked their way around your legs to rest by your hips. His tongue finally came in contact with your needy clit, earning a deep breath from your chest. Your eyes fluttered shut as he began lightly drawing circles with his wet tongue. Pleasure began arising just below your navel, causing a string of moans to roll off your lips. Suddenly, his hand shifted positions to sit on top of your lower abdomen, his fingers close to the top of your pussy. He pulled up against your skin, pulling the little hood off your clit, exposing the fragile bundle of nerves that sat beneath. He took no time to return his tongue to its previous position, although this time the sensation was so much deeper. The feeling of him directly against your sensitive bud sent arousal all through your body, almost making you orgasm on the spot.

“Steve... I’m gonna cum.” You whined.

“Not yet.” He mumbled, his tongue not stopping its cruel movement over your fragile clit. In that moment your whole body felt weightless. Your hands tangled in Steve’s short hair as your body convulsed under his touch, every muscle in your body tensed as you tried to hold your orgasm in. It was no use, Steve’s wet tongue traced over your exposed nerve once more and you completely caved in. Your first orgasm of the night ripped through your body intensely, moans dripping from your mouth like fresh honey while Steve’s tongue continued its harsh dance. You felt juices dripping from your core, your body twitching with arousal.

“Steve... wait...” You groaned, attempting to force his head from your pussy. But to no avail, his tongue kept up its act, trying to force a second orgasm from your body.

“Please, Steve... oh fuck!” Your legs instinctively tried to close to push his head away from you as pleasure built up in the pit of your stomach once again. A tight knot forming as it did before. His hand held your body in place as he ripped another mind-blowing orgasm from your entrance. Your moans were louder than before, juices running down your inner-thighs as the knot inside you completely unraveled. Colour clouded your vision as your body trembled, not used to the extreme pleasure.

Suddenly, Steve’s head was removed from your over-stimulated clit. He positioned himself between your legs, his head inches away from yours. Without warning, he pushed his long index finger into your tight, wet core. Your heart beating so fast you thought you might break a rib.

“Steve!” You flinched, your hand moving to grab his wrist.

“I don't remember giving you permission to cum.” Steve growled into your ear, sending chills down your arched spine. His finger removed itself from your heat with a slight frustrated groan falling from your mouth. His hands moved to grab your hips, pulling you off the kitchen table and twisting your body around. He forced you down so your chest lay against the marble, the icy sensation making your nipples hard almost immediately. You’d never admit to him, but you loved the way he man-handled you.

“When you cum without permission, you get punished.” He added, his voice low and husk. Suddenly, each of your hands were pulled together behind your back. You felt Steve’s large hand holding both of your wrists together as he reached over to grab his tie. The fabric felt silky against your skin as he wrapped it a few times around both your wrists, tying it tightly at the top. Subconsciously, you wriggled your hands slightly, seeing if the tie would fall away, but not to your surprise, your hands were definitely stuck.

You were pulled away from your thoughts as you heard the rattling of his belt buckle, along with the sound of him pulling it from the loops of his dress pants. A thunderous sound announced itself in the room as he cracked the leather belt together, making your heart skip a beat. Steve grabbed the tie held around your wrists, moving your hands up out of the way.

“Fuck!” Your entire body jolted forward as the rough leather came down harshly on your bare cheek, leaving a burning sensation. Just when your body had taken it’s time to relax, the belt came down a second time, the heat of the spank rippling through your muscles.

“That’s two spanks for cumming twice without asking.” His husky voice stated as his hand ran over the red belt mark lightly.

“Yes Captain,” You gulped, not wanting him to see how outrageously turned on you were by this whole act. I guess it wasn't new news to you that Steve was a control freak. He was the leader of the team and was always in charge, but you never expected him to be this controlling. To want his way this much. But you certainly weren't complaining.

You were pulled from your thoughts as you heard Steve undressing behind you. Your head turned to take a quick glance at him, he’d shed his dress shirt and black pants into a puddle on the ground. You held your gaze as he finally stripped his underwear from his figure. His long member jumped out immediately, he was already rock hard. Steve’s warm hand returned to your ass cheek, tracing over the belt mark that clearly hadn't faded. His finger traced down to play with the folds of your pussy, making you groan slightly in frustration.

“Please fuck me, Steve,” You whined, your hands straining against the tie that bound your wrists together in an effort to reach out and grab his member. Steve grinned. His index and middle finger finally sunk into your core. He pushed them in and out while slowly jerking himself off. The volume of your moans increased as the movement of his fingers quickened. You forced your head down into the marble kitchen bench as that all too familiar feeling began arising in your abdomen once again. Your muscles clenched up as your next orgasm began building rapidly.

“Steve, you're gonna make me cum again.” You whimpered, your eyes squeezing shut and your breath quickening.

The tight sensation was ripped from your body as Steve pulled his fingers out of your core, earning another frustrated groan.

“Did you cum?” Steve growled. You simply shook your head in response as you tried to fix your breathing.

“Good girl.” He responded, his large hands grabbed your waist as he lined his hips up with yours. He suddenly lined his length up with your dripping heat and began sinking himself inside of you. A huge moan dripped from your mouth as he began filling you up. Steve couldn't stifle the moan that fell from his mouth too as he felt your dripping pussy clenching around him. Both of his hands returned to your hips and he started slowly thrusting in and out of you.

“Oh fuck Steve, it’s so big.” You mewled, his length hitting a deep spot inside you that caused your legs to tremble. You were lucky Steve and the counter were holding you up as your knees became weak as another orgasm built inside you. Strings of moans and Steve’s name fell from your lips as your muscles began tingling, your eyelids refusing to stay open.

“Steve, can- can I cum?” You whimpered, your breathing was all over the place as your nervously tensed everywhere to try hold your orgasm that threatened to tear through you.

“Not yet.” He growled back. Curses piled out of your mouth as you tried to hold it back. Your eyes rolled back into your head and the pit of you gutted tightened so hard you thought you might pass out.

“P-please Captain.” You couldn't even hold your head up straight. Steve grabbed pushed your hips harshly into the kitchen bench to hold your body still as he began pounding even harder.

“Cum.” Was all he said. You immediately let go. Every fibre of every muscle in your body felt like it was melting with pleasure. The only thing keeping you from falling to the ground was the kitchen bench and Steve’s muscular arms as his grip on your hips never loosened. This orgasm was the biggest you'd had all night. You squeezed your eyes shut and practically began drooling as Steve kept you at your high. His long member hitting a nerve deep in your core every time he pounded into you. Your ears were flooded with the sounds of moans and skin slapping skin. You couldn't even think, all you could do was scream Steve’s name as you came all over his huge cock. The pleasure built to a point you felt like you couldn't even gasp for air, you tried to push your hands back against him to stop his pace, but the tie was too tight. Steve had complete and utter control over you.

Finally his pace slowed and he pulled himself out of you, he still clearly hadn't finished. Your tense body relaxed into the surface below you, trying to hold it together as you returned to reality. Steve grabbed your shoulders and pulled your body off the kitchen island. He pushed your hair out the way to place deep love bites all over your shoulder. His hands snaked up your frame to massage your breasts, occasionally grasping your hard nipple between his fingers. Your eyelids fluttered shut and you bit down on your lip, humming through your closed mouth as you flooded with gentle pleasure. Once your legs regained their strength you pushed your hips back so Steve’s member sat against your ass. Slowly, you began grinding into him, his cock still covered in your juices. Steve’s breath became deeper as he tried to control himself. You could tell how badly he wanted to cum. To have that sweet release that you’d had all night.

He flipped your body around and lifted you up around your waist to walk you towards the dining table. Tantalisingly, he lowered you down onto your back so your face looked up to him. It was slightly uncomfortable with your hands still tied behind your back, but in the moment you couldn't care less. He adjusted his body to sit between your legs, his hips perfectly lined up with yours.

Once again, Steve pushed his cock inside you, slipping it in with ease. You were so wet your pussy practically dripped with juices. You moaned out Steve’s name. No matter how many times he fucked you, you never seemed to adjust to his huge size. It didn't take long before he was pumping himself inside you at a rapid pace, causing the dining table to shake beneath you.

That pleasureful knot tied itself in your abdomen for the hundredth time this night, with your back arching into the air, and your hips forcing themselves further towards Steve, wanting to feel him even deeper inside you core. Your eyes blurred and crossed each other as you felt your orgasm starting to eat away at your body. With every thrust, Steve’s raging length hit those strained, sensitive nerves deep in your core.

“S-Steve.” Was all you could mumbled out as he harshly thrust into you, paying no mind to how your body twitched below him. He leant over so his face was near yours.

“Cum for me again doll. I want to feel you cum all over my cock.” He commanded, you body became numb to everything but pleasure. Colourful stars crowded your vision as you let yourself unravel all over his length. He held your legs to his sides while the shook as you orgasmed. Pure ecstasy took over as his tip hit that spot inside you that made you feel like you were cumming over and over again. Steve tried to hold you at your high as you clenched around him, but his movements became sloppy and he felt himself about to finish. For the first time this night Steve let himself go in the pleasure. He groaned, biting down on his lip as he came inside your tight walls, filling you up. He took a few extra deep thrusts to finish himself off before pulling his length out of you.

Both of you sat quietly for a minute, breathing deeply as beads of sweat covered your foreheads.

“Happy Birthday.” He said with a weak smile.

A laugh escaped your mouth, “Same time next week?” You added, your mouth still wide open, trying to breathe in as much oxygen as possible. You earned a light chuckle from Steve who let your legs lightly fall beside his waist.

“Except next time I'm tying you up.”

#Steve rogers #steve rogers x reader #steve x reader #steve rogers imagine #Steve Rogers one shot #captain america #captain america one shot #captain america x reader #captain america imagine #the avengers x reader #the avengers one shot #Steve one shot #cap x reader #marvel #Steve Rogers fic #Steve Rogers fan fic #Steven rogers

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mercuriusitblog · 2 years

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What's New in Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central

Wave 1 for Business Central was released on April 1, 2021. This means that various new functionalities have become available. Functionalities range from very technical changes to new parts that every user notices at the front. Microsoft will publish these new functionalities in a release document. We have bundled and described the most interesting parts below.

Add variant codes to the header of a production order

Does your organization produce and/or sell items in various colours, sizes or, for example, materials? Now you often create an item number for each item variant. This is no longer necessary with this functionality. You can now place multiple variants under the same article number.

Related to this extension is that you can now also define production BOMs and routes for different variants and also specify the storage locations. Despite the value of this extension, there is still a small caveat. Production BOMs and routes are not (yet) included in the planning engine. So you can't adjust your planning to it yet, but you can use the functionality in planning proposals or, for example, order planning.

How do you add the features?

On the Production order page, add the Variant code field.

On the SKU page, add the Production BOM and Production Routing fields.

Send all attached files as attachments

Some functionalities were surprisingly not available before on Business Central. This is one of them. You can now attach all documents attached to a process to an email. This saves time, because you no longer have to email per document or first make exports to add them to an email. Simple functionality, very nice for those who deal with this on a daily basis.

Virtual tables

Think of Virtual Tables as a reflection of a set of tables from Business Central that are available in the Power Platform (Dataverse) and Customer Engagement (CRM) to read data, but also to write data to. This ensures that you can enter data into Business Central from your CRM system. This is also processed directly within BC. So suppose you have a Dataverse table with the name 'Account' and a BC table with the name 'SalesOrders', then you can create a relationship between these two tables via virtual tables. This is how you display data from 'SalesOrders' on an 'Account' form.

The functionality is very powerful and reinforces the platform idea even more. Up front, it's easier to use the same terms and processes in several separate programs.

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sugarcoatedpoop · 6 years

Text

Tag

thank you @unaesthetic-unicorn and @cafelouvre for tagging! it was fun to read through your tags, and yeah I think I might have done this tag a while ago but some of the answers might change so let’s go for it anyway :)

Last…

Drink: well i’m drinking tea right now

Call: do video calls count because i don’t use my telephone for calling people

Text: it was my cousin telling me what time it is

Song you listened to: elevator by jonghyun

Time you cried: probably quite recently i don’t keep count

Have you ever…

Dated someone twice: well i replayed the yoosung route in mystic messenger so yeah sure

Kissed someone and regretted it: no

Been cheated on: only in board games

Lost someone special: no

Been depressed: maybe

Gotten drunk and thrown up: nope, i’ve only been drunk once and at the end of the night i was pretty okay

Favourite colours: pastel pink

In the last year have you…

Made any new friends: yup :)

Fallen out of love: no

Laughed so hard you cried: yeaahh, it is great but sometimes it happens when i’m trying to be subtle which is a bit annoying lol

Found out someone was talking about you: yeah, well my best friend said that she was talking about me but hopefully it was all good things

Met someone who changed you: not sure

Found out who your friends were: i already knew

Kissed someone in your Facebook friends list: yes, my mother

General…

How many people from your Facebook friends do you know irl? all of them

Do you have any pets? i wish...maybe one day i will get the floof

Do you want to change your middle name? nah it doesn’t really matter

What did you do for your birthday last year? i had a detention! um but yeah apart from that it was nice i had a sleepover with my wonderful friends ♡

What time did you wake up today? 7:30, i had an alarm set for 6:10 but you know how it is

What were you doing last night at midnight? i was just about to go to bed

What’s something you can’t wait for? bts comeback today and also whenever exo are going to release that juicy full length album with all nine members

What are you listening to right now? the sounds of the world, the continuous rhythms of nature, the outpouring of refreshing air coming from my air conditioner in my bedroom

Have you ever talked to a person named Tom? many a time

Something that gets on your nerves? myself, also other things

Most visited website? youtube, tumblr or twitter

Hair colour? blonde like a nice white chocolate brownie

Short or long hair? medium length but i want it to get longer

Do you have a crush on anyone? quite a few celebrities

What do you like about yourself? well it doesn’t show that much but i think i’m quite optimistic and hopeful???

Want any piercings? maybe, not too bothered

Blood type: magical

Nicknames: i don’t really have any that people use much

Relationship status: desperate

Zodiac sign: sag

Pronouns: she/her

Favourite show: well..i love some quiz shows like pointless and only connect..i also love me some knowing brothers..i’m also watching b99 at the moment which is always fun..also anime

Tattoos: no but maybe a little one someday

Right or left handed: right

Ever had surgery? maybe but not sure if it counts

Piercings? no

Sports? i do like the occasional fun lighthearted game of sport with some beloved family and/or friends, but that is all

Vacation? well if you’re offering yes please thank you

Trainers? yes, they’re a very useful form of footwear, thanks for asking

More general…

Eating: very important

Drinking: also very important

About to watch: probably some buzzfeed unsolved

Waiting for: yeah like i said those nice kpop comebacks, also i’m waiting for a day off in which i don’t have to deal with a typhoon

Get married: i’d love to one day

Career: i’d love to one day

Which is better…

Hugs or kisses? depends on who you’re hugging/kissing but both are good

Lips or eyes? eyes

Shorter or taller? i wish i was a bit shorter but can’t really do anything about that, but i would like a nice tall partner some day but i shouldn’t be too picky

Younger or older? in what context ?? like a romantic interest? older maybe

Nice arms or stomach? i would like a nice stomach but i keep filling it with nice things

Hookup or relationship? relationship bc i want love

Troublemaker or hesitant? not really sure what this means but i am not a troublemaker i am good i think

Have you ever…

Kissed a stranger? no

Drank hard liquor? no

Lost glasses? no but i did once leave a thermos flask in a field, what a loss

Turned someone down? no

Had sex on the first date? nopesies

Broken someone’s heart? well i hope not but i worry about being accidentally mean to people sometimes so you never know

Had your heart broken? nah

Been arrested? no i am good

Cried when someone died? yup

Fallen for a friend? no

Do you believe in…

Yourself? who?? jk i’m sorry i’m letting down bts here i love myself

Miracles? maybe, twould be nice

Love at first sight? nah gotta have that sweet communication and getting to know each other

Santa? santa is real in our hearts

Kiss on the first date? if you want

Angels? yeah sure

Other…

Best friend: well SOMEONE decided to delete her tumblr account in favour of managing her multiple instagram fan accounts so i can’t tag her but i love that bitch so much she deserves the world

Eye colour: ???

Favourite movie: hunchback of notre dame (the disney version ofc)

Favourite actor: hmmmm maybe a classic musical actress like Jane Powell or Alice Faye because they have a place in my heart also they’re amazing singers

okaayyy i tag @taetaes-gf @koyomiararagis and @supercroissantforchat feel free if you want to :) anyways everyone thanks for coming to my ted talk

#*hoverboards away*#thanks for anyone who may have bothered to take the time to read this all #it probably wasn't worth it but thank you anyway i appreciate it

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edsrich · 7 years

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Mixtapes (Richie/Eddie)

Summary: Both Richie and Eddie are very fond of each other and often tease each other affectionately, especially Richie to Eddie. So Bill and Stan both play cupid, which results in swapping mixtapes for eachother.

Warning(s): Bad language, 13 year olds kissing (don’t read if you think its fucking weird?? bc its not), if you think this is me sexualising these cuties-don’t bother

Richie’s Mixtape to Eddie

Eddie’s Mixtape to Richie

A/N: Look at my children in love, PLEASE I highly recc listening to either of the mixtapes that are linked above^^? They are both very 70/80′s. btw I do requests? If anyone wants to hit me up an x reader or a ship in IT 2017 (or IT in general) I’ll be glad to do so?? don’t be shy

“Awe, Eds. Look at you.” Richie cooed teasingly, pinching Eddie’s slowly flushing cheek.

Eddie quickly began swatting at Richie’s hand, his eyebrows furrowed heavily and a frown on his lips, “Don’t touch me with your rotten hands, asshole!”

Richie ignored his protests and flinched away from his swats, moving his hand to now over his shoulders and pulling the smaller boys frame into his own side, a grin on his lips. “You’re such a cutie, Eds.”

“No, No I’m fucking-”

“Both of you, shut up.” Stanley grumbles after rolling his eyes several times at the two.

Richie snapped his eyes at Stan, glaring through his coke bottle glasses, which only enhanced his eye size even more. He held Eddie closer, even with Eddie’s flushed cheeks he still squirmed lightly.

Stan sighs in relief and folds his arms as the group goes back to its usual discussion about the new random comic book of the week. Eddie couldn’t help but allow his heart to beat faster at Richie’s touch against his form, making him feel protected in his stronger grip. He couldn’t help but zone out as Richie begun to bicker that his comic book that he found was better than Stan’s.

Bill tilted his head, analysing Eddie as his eyes would flicker all over the place with his mouth gaping before closing every now and then and gulping. He knew that how he was acting wasn’t the norm for Eddie whenever Richie was like this, something was different. Not to mention that he had stopped struggling against Richie who wasn’t even holding Eddie tightly or forcing him in place.

Bill smiled a bit, as something clicked inside of his head- a plan. But he was going to need Stanley to help out.

That night, on the way home from their adventurous summer day- Bill was walking Eddie home as Stanley had taken Richie to a different route. Bill hummed a tune as he walked alongside his friend, grinning as he turned to look at him.

“So...”

Eddie looked at Bill, tilting his head, “So?”

“So, y-..you and Richie?”

“Yeah?” Eddie was confused, almost disgust in his voice- but Bill could see past the faux disgust.

“I saw how you were t-today, Eddie. Y-you were blushing.”

This again, only caused Eddie to heat up as his form became a flustered mess and he glared at Bill. “You would blush too if someone touched your arm!”

“N-no, I’d only b-blush if Bev touched my arm there.” Bill pointed out, “but in this instance, you blushed when Richie had his arm around you- as well when he pinched your cheek and called you a ‘cutie’, it’s quite obvious.”

Eddie snapped his head away, patting his fanny pack for reassurance for himself. “Whats your point?”

“My point? M=my point is that he’s flirting with you; y-you like him.”

“I don’t like him! And he isn’t flirting with me! He acts like that with everyone-”

Bill cuts Eddie off quickly, “E-Eddie, do you see him pinching any of our cheeks and calling us a ‘cutie’? He doesn’t put his arms a-around us or any of the shit he does for you, not to mention he calls you E-Eds and doesn’t have a nickname for any of us.”

“Okay Bill-”

“N-n..not to mention, he carries an extra i-inhaler around just incase you lose yours.”

Thats when Eddie’s breath hitches, feeling butterflies go crazy in his abdomen, adoration swirling and tugging at his heart strings. He could practically hear his heart in his ears loud and clear.

“He... he does?” Eddie whispers, his voice quivering a bit.

“Yeah, even though he knows that you don’t even need it anymore, because you know, gazebos and your Mom making your illness up and shit but- yeah.” Bill smiles, watching how the young boy was falling more and more in love.

Eddie then quickly holds his wrist, feeling his pulse; resulting his fingertips quivering from feelings how his heart was beating with happiness.

“Oh... I-I never knew that. He’s never told me...”

“That’s b-because you’ve never needed it, but he always has.”

Eddie bites his lip, “What a fucking, what- he’s a fucking dick.” Eddie protests, blushing bright as ever.

“Sure he is,” Bill chuckled, “But l-look, I wanna help you. I know when someone is in love when I see it.”

“How?” Eddie asked, neither denying his feelings or admitting.

“Well.. It i-involves music.”

Meanwhile, Stanley was grumbling to himself in annoyance and cursing Bill’s name for getting him into this situation with Richie Tozier. He didn’t want to do this, but Bill had promised to give him some candy as a reward if it goes well.

“So, Richie. I’m gonna make this quick as possible so I can just go home.”

“What the fuck are you talking about?” Richie asked with pure confusion, a single eyebrow furrowing and one raising.

“You like Eddie, Eddie likes you.” Stan started, his face full of boredom, “Can you just hurry up and tell him?”

Richie was shocked by his friend’s words at first, before smirking. “Hell yeah I like him, I tell him all the time.”

“I mean genuinely, you asshole.” Stan sighed, “Not as a joke or some shit, literally confess your fucking feelings to him or something.”

Richie rolls his eyes, not being fazed by the situation, “What makes you think I like him seriously? I’m not fucking gay-”

“It’s pretty fucking clear you like girls, after you telling us for the full day about the first time you ‘tickled your pickle’ to a random magazine that had huge boobs all over it. But you like guys too, there’s nothing wrong with that.” Stan spoke with a monotone voice, managing to not let any voice cracks slip.

Richie scoffed, “I don’t like him, he’s a friend and I like to tease him.”

“You tease him by calling him ‘cute’ and you give him a nickname, you don’t do it to anyone else. You like him, just admit it- no one is judging you.”

Richie frowned, huffing a bit and rolling his eyes. “Well, what if I did? Whats your point and where are you going with this?”

Stan smirked, patting Richie’s back forcefully, causing him to stumble forward.

“What’s your taste in music like?”

The next day, both Richie and Eddie were walking to school together in perfect unison, both of them holding a tape in their pocket that held a variety of songs that the one had imagined for the other.

Richie gulped, for once actually nervous around Eddie. What would Eddie think of him? It was a fucking mixtape, it was Richie’s music taste. Would he even like it? Would he-

“Richie, here. I want you to have this.” Eddie cut off Richie’s thoughts, holding up a tape alike to Richie’s.

Richie blinked twice, stopping in his steps. The tape was all black and what seemed to be painted on with nail polish ‘Sucks to Suck’ on top of the tape.

“I-it’s a mixtape.” Eddie mumbled awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck as he felt flustered.

Richie stayed silent, slowly taking the tape, analysing it with soft eyes before looking up with confusion. He turned over the mix tape to see ‘to Richie’ painted with the same shade of white but in smaller writing.

“You made one too?” He spoke quietly, his head tilted to the side which caused his dark brown hair to tilt too.

“What?”

“Look...” Richie dug into his pocket and pulled out his own black tape which had a sticker on it, saying ‘Gimmie head til’ I’m dead!’ on it, with writing scribbled onto the back saying ‘to Eds’ with a cheeky smiley face, “I made one too, here.” He handed it over.

Eddie’s eyes widened, blushing a bit as he took it from the glasses wearing boy and read over it- mentally scoffing at the sticker but he was in awe of the idea that both of them had somehow made a mixtape for the other.

“You too?” Eddie whispered in shock.

“Well, yeah- but it wasn’t my idea.”

“It wasn’t mine either.”

Richie quickly smirked, rolling his eyes, “They fucking set us up.”

“Who? Bill? Because it was Bill’s idea for me-” Eddie began to ramble on.

“It was Stan’s idea for me.”

Eddie then stopped, sighing with a grin- poking his tongue in his cheek. “Fuck, that makes sense.”

Both look at each other with grins slowly spreading over their chapped lips, soon the two boys were in a fit of giggles due to the realisation of the sweet situation. Both never taking eyes off one another, blushes spreading to their ears and down their necks.

“I, I guess I’ll listen to this tonight?” Richie’s voice broke, still calming down from his fit of giggles.

“Yeah, me too... I-i uh, I picked out the songs carefully and put them in order a certain way, so..” Eddie trailed off, becoming a little ashamed incase Richie would tease him for his effort.

But Richie only felt love swell inside of him at those words, he grabbed Eddie’s hand with his free one and leant forward, bending down slightly, whilst pressing their lips together for the first time. Eddie’s eyes widened in shock, before melting and wrapping his free arm around Richie’s neck with the mixtape in his firm grip. Both merged together in sync and harmony, with their lips swelling and becoming saturated in colour. Richie wrapped his other arm around Eddie’s waist and too held his mix tape tightly as they both kissed in the middle of the street, hand in hand, with no shame at all.

Eddie sat down at his desk, placing his headphones over his head, pressing play as quickly the flood of Richie vibes swirled into his eardrums. Finally, after many aching hours at school he had time to listen to this mixtape.

I don’t want to know your name

Cause’ you don’t look the same

The way you did before

Okay, you think you got a pretty face

But the rest of you is out of place

You looked alright before...

Eddie chuckled at the familiar song, it often played in arcades that the Losers club all went too. It went under the title ‘Fox on the Run’ and it was by ‘The Sweets’.

Fox on the run!

You scream and everybody comes a running!

Take a run and hide yourself away...

Foxy on the run!

F-foxy!

Fox on the run...

And hide away!

Eddie listened to every song intensely, capturing the vibe of Richie Tozier perfectly. He had even picked out songs that they both loved and favoured. Eddie really adored Richie’s music taste and everything about it, it perfectly described him as a person and he loved that.

Soon, the last song came on. By the instrumental, Eddie recognised it to be ‘Can’t Help Falling in Love With You’ by Elvis Presley. HIs heart hammered quickly.

Wise men say,

Only fools rush in

But I, cant help, falling in love with you...

Shall I stay?

Would it be a sin?

If I can’t help, falling in love with you...

Eddie’s breath hitched in his throat, feeling his pulse echo throughout his system. This was not part of Richie’s vibe at all, but part of Eddie’s. Eddie loved Elvis Presley whilst Richie wasn’t a big fan of him.

But this song was magical and made for someone special, so Eddie was shocked and swooned. Very much so captivated.

Eddie Kaspbrak was falling in love with Richie Tozier.

Later that night, Richie laid down in bed with his cheap headphones, before plugging them into the mixtape and pressing the button to get the songs going.

The first song started; it was of course one of Richie’s favoured artists as well as Eddie’s. From what he knew, this was one of Eddie’s favourite songs from David Bowie, it was called Heroes and it was a truly beautiful song.

I, I will be king.

And you, you will be queen.

Though nothing, will drive them away

We can beat them, just for one day.

Oh we can be heroes!

Just for one day.

And you, you can be mean.

And I, I drink all the time.

Because we’re lovers, and that is a fact.

Yes we’re lovers, and that is that.

Though nothing, will keep us together

We could steal time, just for one day.

We could be heroes, forever and ever.

What’d you say?

Richie felt his heart pump faster and swell as the mixtape carried on, each song having Eddie’s vibe to it. But Richie could tell that they matched him in a way that made Eddie pick it for him to listen to. Everything was intentional.

After a good 50 minutes, the final song was starting to play. Yet Richie wasn’t prepared for what he was about to hear.

Hey Jude...

Don’t make it bad,

Take a sad song, then make it better.

Remember, to let her into your heart.

Then you can start to make it better.

Richie’s eyes widened as his thoughts wandered back to Eddie’s simple words. ‘I picked out the songs carefully and put them in order a certain way.’ This meant that Eddie had intentionally wanted Richie to hear this song last.

Hey Jude...

Don’t be afraid.

You were made to go out and get her.

The minute you let her under your skin

Then you begin to make it better.

Richie felt the tears prick at his waterline as this was the first time of him being emotional at a song. Eddie was the only person that knew about Richie’s home life, how he was neglected by his parents constantly and was alone. He knew that the reason why Richie was so loud and out there was because he didn’t receive the attention he deserved at home, so he wanted it from friends. He wanted to make people laugh, Eddie knew this.

Eddie’s key words lingered in his brain, as it stuck out to him that this single song revealed that Eddie’s whole mixtape was set up in a way to help Richie throughout dark times or whenever he felt alone, so he could remember that Eddie had cared enough to set up this mixtape in perfect order to make Richie stronger in that given moment.

And anytime you feel the pain,

Hey Jude, refrain

Don’t carry the world upon your shoulders.

For well you know that it’s a fool,

Who plays it cool

By making his world a little colder.

Richie’s tears finally fell, making him take his glasses off to refrain any of the tears staining the lenses. Eddie had purposely picked this song as if to say that Richie was in fact his Jude, he wanted Richie to get better and hopefully have a better mindset besides his life at home.

Nah, nah nah, nah nah, nah nah, nah nah...

His breaths shook, as he held the mixtape to his chest with the headphones still placed perfectly on his head. He was thankful to have someone like Eddie who would even bother to do this, as something as simple as this with so much thought put into it only made him fall in love with the small boy even more.

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dndfuckhouse · 6 years

Photo

THE SETUP🥀

Two separate parties are travelling down the long Shespin Road in the outskirts of Talornia, a relatively quiet long expanse of land within the kingdom that is the most well-known travel route from the capital city of Sharden across the border towards the green glades. The environment mainly small forests dotted around the long rolling plains, the landscape is quite flat outside the larger mountains seen in the distance, it is becoming cool and chilly as dusk comes.

On your travels you come across a large looking inn that has an inviting atmosphere off the side of the road, it is quickly turning dusk and after a while on the road it is welcome respite. You enter, one group a little before the other, and decide to spend the rest of the evening in the surprisingly full and busy tavern...

THE PLAYERS⚔️

THE HIRED HANDS🔎 - FINLEY, SAGESSA AND ECARTE

played by「GAB - MICHELLE - SARITA」

Members of a group named the Burlap Hooks, a small organisation that investigate arcane phenomenon and strange happenings. They were sent this way on a missing persons investigation from their higher ups that could be arcane in nature, trying to be covert about it, kind of.

THEIR MISSION 📜

On a report from your superiors you were informed of a peculiar happening occurring on the southern end of the Shespin road. Every now and again a group of travellers seems to disappear entirely from their route, never to be seen again afterwards, after an affluent member of a Talornian merchant guild went missing, along with the rest of his party, more attention was turned this way, including those who seek the eyes and expertise of your organisation.You are relatively low ranking within your organisation, but are here to mainly act as investigators and scouts to not rouse suspicion, your main missions given to you being -

Seek information and discover what is making certain travellers disappear discretely

Discover whether it is arcane in nature

Report back with your findings

➣ THOSE REPORTED MISSING

Argot Hetrop - Member of Talornian merchant guild The Hops, him and 5 of his servants turned up missing, none of their carriages or wares to be ground

Estas Marigold - Cleric of Pelor, priestess for a church who was travelling to Sharden with a fellow cleric, both never showed

Gray Farun - Postmaster travelling with a set amount of goods for Sharden, was joined by 2 bodyguards, none of them showed at their post

THE TRAVELLING MUSICIANS📯 - VERNALIS, MARI, ASH AND CIN

played by「AQUA - POKI - JEZ - JUDE」

A group of wayward friends who have formed a travelling band featuring worms that can play instruments, though its unsure if they can decide on a good name (the current placeholder: Mari and the PussyWyrms).

THEIR MISSION 📜

Travel out of Sharden and HAVE A GOOD TIME.

THE PATRONS 👻

THE BODYGUARDS 🗡️ | THE MERCENARIES 🔸- RINA AND ERIK ➣ possessed by Henriete and Korok

Hired bodyguards that were tasked to escort a postman named gray to his destination, disappeared along the Shespin road with the package and haven't been seen since || A pair of mercs who were part of an organisation named the Red Hoods, seemingly doing contract work throughout the country, stayed at the inn after completing their job for a break on their way back, perished in the fire in a moment of carelessness.

THE SERVANTS ☕ | THE BARKEEPS 🍺 - SARAH AND PHILLIP ➣ possesed by Foren and Gezzert

A couple of long time servants hired by Argot Hetrop that were accompanying him in his caravan down the Shespin road, dissapeared with him along with the rest of the group || A weary innowner and her trusted hand, both lived on the premises of the inn, rarely had many customers due to the location but were known for their hospitality, perished in the fire in the home they crafted for themselves.

THE POSTMAN 📬 | THE DRUNK 🍾 - GRAY FARUN ➣ possessed by Coborn

A stressed postman constantly being hired for long distance deliveries, sent down the Shespin road bound for a destination in Sharden but never showed, along with his two guards and goods || A wayward cynic with a debt to pay in the city over. Holed up in the inn on the way to drink his cares away alone, isolated from the rest of the world until he could figure out what to do about it, perished in the fire before he could figure it out.

THE MERCHANT GROUP 💰 | THE BAND 🎵 - HORACE, MARINA, REZA AND ARGOT HETROP ➣ possessed by Brax, Cerulean, Ardun and Harry Derringer

An affluent member of Talornian merchant guild The Hops, Argot Hetrop, and his other 3 servants who were travelling down the Shespin road away from Sharden. Him and his caravan never showed up at their destination sparking an investigation into disappearances down this stretch of road by various individuals || Up and coming bardic band the Azure Reeds, headed by pianist Harry Derringer and his peers, debuted in Sharden and were lauded for their talents. Travelled down the Shespin road on their way to another performance near the Gulf of Catrin, performing for the inn for a few days to make money in the mean time, perished in the fire in their prime.

THE DEVOUT 📿 | THE LONER ⚪ - ESTAS MARIGOLD ➣ possessed by Tess

A kindly cleric to the god Pelor, travelling towards Sharden towards a temple to provide aid and her skills with a fellow cleric. She never showed up when she was expected too, neither did the cleric she supposedly travelled with || A young girl who was separated from her mother for reasons unknown, was given a medallion by her to keep her safe in a letter, she held it tight around her neck, just as her mother wanted. Perished in the fire alone letting out a scream.

THE GAME 🎲

FIRST SESSION - 24/6/18 🥀

youtube

> 🎵 Slingshot / Gaelic Storm

Split up into their separate groups the parties travel down the rainy Shespin Road just as dusk begins to hit, taking in the gloomy atmosphere, they notice a nearby small inn just off the roadside and tired from travel, shuffle in to take respite. First to arrive are the travelling musicians who take a table and begin a colourful and loud conversation in the middle of the crowded inn.

Mari: THERE IS NO REASON WE CANT BE NAMED THE PUSSYCAT WORMS Ash: FOR THE LAST TIME, WE ARE NOT GOING WITH THIS Finley: are these guys alright...

We continue with the hired hands grabbing their own table nearby and through very obvious accidental eavesdropping and being forced into it by Mari, joining in on conversation (argument??) with them.

Mari: IM GETTING ANOTHER OPINION Ash: oh no Sagessa: oh i love to give opinions Vernalis: I GOT IT, MILLENNIUM PUSSY

Revelry continues as the groups order food and slowly try to set about a coup to displace the band that is already playing on the stage, the inn slowly becoming more crowded and inviting, almost suspiciously considering the isolated location. The musicians reveal that they are also travelling with cages of worms, pets of Ash and Cin who were previously worm farmers, and fellow musicians talented enough that they can play some of the instruments, ceremoniously revealing the hook to their group to various deflated reactions from the other group. As time passes Vernalis casts Divine Sense on a whim, revealing a sudden sense of creeping dread nearby, draping a uncomfortable feeling now over the evening. During this Cin attempts to intimidate the bar-owner into letting Ecarte play on the stage instead of the already booked group (he is unsuccessful).

Cin: i look to ash for help Ash: i laugh really loud "GOD YOU SUCK, CIN... hold my beer"

Vernalis: Oh don't worry about it, I'm sure its nothing! Vernalis: ... Vernalis: i take it bad there's unde- *whispers* undead Mari: WHAT DO YOU MEAN UNDEAD

The groups confer as Cin debates with the bartender and makes eyes towards his sister like a kicked cat, and Sagessa casts Detect Magic revealing to her a strange fog pulsing with magic that seems to hang over the place.

Sagessa: there's a strange magic in the air in here, but i can't tell where it's coming from bc it's just, everywhere Ecarte: *quietly* Do you think this is related to what we're looking for? Sagessa: quite possibly. this place is drawing so many people in and no one seems to want to leave

The conversation continues and the group agrees to start investigating (their only real option being to ask around at the moment). Mari casts Prestidigitation in the middle of the conversation, blowing all the torches within the room out, to angry complaints until the band light a few near the stage and begin playing again to loud applause.

The gang splits off to begin conversing with inngoers, beforehand however the siblings seem to get into some sort of dumb fight and begin angrily huffing at each other - Vernalis goes to engage the blue tiefling near the bar in conversation, they act guarded the entire conversation, though reveal they are waiting for someone, Mari crawls under the stage and finds lots of dust, Finley attempts (key word being attempts) to engage the grump drunk grey tiefling in conversation, Sagessa goes to engage the two mercenaries in their drunk revelmaking nearby blending in amazingly. Ecarte makes to speak to cin about not being able to play anymore but waits awkwardly until the siblings notice his presence.

Ash: i cross my arms at cin "tch JUST LISTEN TO YOURSELF BE A MESS RIGHT IN FRONT OF YOUR BOYFRIEND RIGHT THERE" Cin: "MY B- my boyfriend? huh?" i suddenly notice ecarte "oh.." Ecarte: ^__^???

Eventually Ash smashes her cup on the floor, whether or not it was because she was drunk will forever be unknown, Cin goes to pay the bar-owner for it in after the bar-owner and Vernalis yells someone better be paying for it, partly in an attempt to make up for his prior failed intimidation. Ecarte goes off to attempt to speak to the band to begin his own investigation. In the meantime Mari makes her way outside the inn from a side door into the dark recently rained on grounds outside, investigating the stables nearby noting they are empty and spying a bush of bright white small blowers growing outside a nearby shack behind the inn. At the same time Vernalis discovers the name of the blue tiefling is “Estas”

As she rounds the back of the inn Mari finally spots something, a dead body in the mud face down outside in the dark.

as you peer at the body the closer you get the sinking feeling of dread pools in your stomach, you cant get much aside from it looks like its been here for a week? longer? it looks human

Mari makes a dash back inside the inn making a beeline for Vernalis to scream about what she discovered, eventually the two make their way back out together to investigate (an attempt to be covert about it was made).

Vernalis: Mari dont worry about it, I'm sure it'll be fine. You definitely cant be the murderer Mari: YOU ARE RIGHT BUT NOT PUT IT LIKE THAT

As the others continue their investigations and conversations (and ash and cin their argument over nothing with each other) the two crouch over the body and Mari goes to touch the body. As soon as she does everyone feels time stop.

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> 🎵 Aeon / Ragnarok Online OST

The party stops moving and a sense of dread and terror washes over each of them before their vision darkens and blurs, they all wake up at the start of the evening again, the hired hands having just walked through the inn doors.

Shaken up by this sudden reversal, they all quickly regroup and clutch each other scared out of their wits, before looking down at their hands and seeing a bright blue symbol now emblazoned across the back. In a soft glowing blue a small flower sits within a circle, few of them are able to identify it immediately as a Lily of the Valley. The hired hands conclude that this is most likely the phenomenon they were put forth to investigate, and go off to converse with the inn-goers on whether or not they all just felt the shift in time as well. Mari begins sobbing that its her fault.

Ecarte goes to ask the blue tiefling her name, she reveals it to be Estas once again. He then goes to the mercenaries and asks them theirs, they call themselves Erik and Riza. Cin goes to question patrons as well, heading to the bar-owner and asking her if their past transgressions are settled, to which she replies that she doesn't know what hes talking about. At the same time Finely takes stock of the room and as she looks around she notices that it seems no one other than them realised time stopped and reversed. Her, Sagessa, Vernalis, Mari and Ash make their way outside again to go investigate, telling Ecarte to follow once he is done.

As Ecarte continues to attempt to gather names, he finds out the band is called The Azure Reeds and their members named “Argot, Marina, Reza and Horace”.

Cin: no one seems to be aware of anything.. we should go catch up with the others. have you seen It yet? Ecarte: I haven't...I'm not really sure if iI want to. Ecarte: and at the band i yell “THANK YOU” AND I AM VISIBLY SCARED

The ladies once outside notice now that outside above and around them is a large dark teal dome barrier of magic pulsing, containing the inn and its surroundings. Mari attempts to identify is before giving up and crying for ash to figure out what is going on with it.

As you stare at the barrier around the area ash you feel something sad well up inside you, when you look through it the surrounding area beyond it appears warped and distorted you have a hard time remembering what it looked like, the barrier seems strong, your not sure what would happen if you touched it.

Soon after Cin and Ecarte rush out of the inn as well, Ecarte more flustered than Cin, deducing that the missing people they were tasked to find are the people in the inn.

Ecarte: THE PEOPLE WE'VE BEEN LOOKING FOR""ARE HERE" Finley: WHAT Ecarte: IN THIS BAR, THE BAR, TH, THE B, TH EBBB

Sagessa: i rub cirlces into his hand to try andd soothe him Finley: uhhh....... what were their names again?

Ecarte: The piano player is Argot Hetrop! And I think that teal tiefling sitting near the bar is Estas Marigold? Finley: hmm...... maybe that guy i talked to earlier is gray? Sagessa: there's a very good chance, eclair!!! you found them!!!! wonderful job!

Vernalis: i whisper to cin "some mystery stuff goin on here" Cin: whispers back to verny "you got that right"

As the three continue, Ash and Mari return to where the others stand discussing this, Ash advising them to not touch the barrier and that it seems dangerous for them to try and force their way out, stuck for the time being.

The group turn their attention now towards the body and begin to check it over, Ash senses nothing magical from it and gives the go ahead.

as you thoroughly examine the body it seems decomposed for a few weeks time, the cause of death seems to be from nothing external, the face from what is left of it looks withered, its also covered in mud and slime from the rain, its gross

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> 🎵 Town In Chaos / Darkest Dungeon OST

As the group confer on what to do next, behind them they suddenly see the inn going up in flames and fire, cries and shouts start to sound off from the inside as it climbs the building. The group shocked, rush back towards the inn and break down a door to make their way inside to a grizzly scene, the overcrowding of the inn making it hard for anyone to get out while cries of terror reverberate throughout the building. Without warning a banister falls blocking the path back out behind them trapping them. Before they can react, a high pitched scream is heard and a part of the ceiling suddenly caves in on the group. Before it can hit them however once again, they feel time stop.

The adrenaline rushing in their ears stops as a feeling of grief washes over them all and they lose consciousnesses, waking up again at the start of the evening, with the hired hands standing at the door, the musicians at their table. the inn back to its regular loud revel making atmosphere.

The group immediately split off still shocked, to interrogate the patrons of the inn, Cin angrily demands the bar owner explains the strange flowers outside the inn near the shack, Finely runs over to ask the drunk tiefling if his name is gray, he angrily says it is, while the bar owner laughs as if she doesn't even properly register Cin’s anger, nor the question he asked her.

At the same time Sagessa approaches Estas and asks her if shes a priest of pelor, to which she confusedly replies that estas is her name but she has never been devout. Similarly Finley asks Gray about if he ever got the package he was meant to deliver to Sharden, he says he doesn't know what shes talking about.

@ Finley > as you say that his face seems to register a reaction for a second before you feel something shift in the air and his face snaps back to the regular grumpy demeanour @ Sagessa > as you ask the question the tiefling pauses for a moment and you feel something shift in the air before she responds

Cin gives up questioning the bar-owner after angrily showing her the symbol on his arm and her still not properly responding to him, Ecarte attempts to get the band attention by yelling the name ‘The Hops’ but none of them respond to him (he is crushed by embarrassment). The group slowly gather there is a connection between what is going on here and these strange flowers (probably).

Ash attempts to crouch into the kitchen before immediately being seen by the barhand and ushered away, afterwards her and Cin discuss if they should try and intimidate the bar patrons with their worm cages (???). Ecarte and Finely group up and decide to go investigate the inn interior. As the two enter the washroom they see another door to a store room connecting off of it, and as they open it up they see there laying on the ground and against the barrels, two more bodies.

Finley: Σ(゜ロ゜;) Ecarte: ΣΣΣΣΣΣΣ(゜ロ゜;)

Ecarte begins screaming which Sagessa hears, she rushes off to the room soon after them. Mari and Vernalis at the same time have made their way outside in an attempt to find another way into the kitchen, from the bustling main inn floor Ash and Cin fail to hear Ecarte’s screams of panic, and decide to go outside and look for where Mari and Vernalis went (fave).

The four of them attempt to break the outside door to the kitchen down as they other three try to keep from panicking before they stare at the bodies for a few seconds longer, realising that the bodies look exactly like Argot and Riza, one wearing his blue cloak and the other her armour.

Ecarte: ECARTE IS SCREAMING AGAIN Finley: AHHGHHHHGFHHGH Sagessa: YOU TWO REALLY OUGHT TO STOP MAKING A RUCKUS

The other group bust the door down with ease, however instead of the kitchen come across what look likes another larger store room, large crates and chests piled around with sacks against the wall. Strangely all the food they find in the crates and bags looks like its been rotting for months, maybe even years. The group makes their way back outside, attempting to break into the other door that seemingly leads into the kitchen, while the others debate on whether or not the people in the inn are impersonating the dead bodies.

Before the outside group can make their attempt, they notice the licks of flame going up the outside of the inn, a fire has started enveloping the building again.

The group on the inside see smoke suddenly coming up from under the door of the room theyre in, before they can make a break back to the main inn floor, a flaming beam comes careening down in front of them, blocking them in the room. Slowly the building begins creaking and coming apart as people inside panic, the trio trapped begin chocking on smoke and effectively suffocating slowly. The group outside desperately attempts the break a door down to get back inside to no avail.

Slowly you all start choking on the smoke you can feel yourselves dying in the heaviest sense. You look up and the ceiling see the ceiling finally cave in on you, once again you feel time Stop once again.

The party feels time loop again, losing consciousnesses and waking up at the start of the evening for the 3rd time.

The group deduces that once they are put in a situation that guarantees their deaths, the time stop effect kicks in. Both groups then go on to discuss their individual findings, pointing out the people in the inn are the bodies that they keep finding, but also that the people in the inn also act like that they dont know who they are. Estas for example not stating that she is a cleric of pelor but simply someone who is waiting for her mother. Debating on whether or not they should warn the patrons about the fire or not, the group deduces that they should first investigate the kitchen, where the fire seems to start.

Vernalis also wonders what would happen if they showed the people in question their own corpses.The group decides they should split into two groups, one to investigate the kitchen and one to warn people about the fire, however they dont fully get a chance to act on this plan

Once Vernalis throws the body of Argot onto the inn floor, everyone in the inn stops what they are doing all at once and stares at her.

as soon as you throw the body through the bathroom doors and it hits the floor, everyone in the bar looks at you for a split second and you feel unsafe, before anything happens, suddenly all of you feel time stop once again, the feeling comes over you again and you go unconscious

Time stops and loops for the fourth time, the party begins to panic, and try and formulate a new plan.

Mari: .... well that was fruitless Finley: SOMETHING IS KEEPING THIS PLACE THE WAY IT IS Ecarte: THIS IS NOT MAKING ME HAPPY :((( Cin: okay that didn't work out so well... maybe we should have a team check out the kitchen and the other can check out the shack outside

Giving up on warning the patrons the party splits to investigate the kitchen and the shack outside, next to the strange flowers. The tieflings group up (fire based immunity reasoning here) and take on the kitchen as the rest head for the shack.

The kitchen group notes that the only rooms in this place that seem like they are alive or in use are the inn floor and the washroom, the difference being strange wen entering other rooms, almost as if they were stepping through time.

The shack team break down the door to the shack and discover what looks like seems to be a small living quarters, inside they discover dust, barrels and another body. Finley investigates the body, who seems in their last moments chose to die laying in the bed of the room. Sagessa investigates the room that branches off of it finding a small storeroom and within it another body on the ground, she identifies the person as Estas and says a small prayer for them, before heading back to the main room as Finley calls for her. Before she can however she feels something try and tug at her mind

sagessa once you say that prayer you feel something try and take hold of your mind, you hear a whisper in your ears, but you are able to shrug it off, you sense something about this storeroom is off

Mari and Vernalis continue investigating the shacks main room finding nothing, they all determine that the bodies have similar looks to all the other they have found, withered and no external wounds. Slowly they all start to realise that they are slowly growing hungry as well. Mari makes a suggestion to burn down the flowers outside. Once Sagessa leaves the storeroom she lets the others know of what she just experienced

Sagessa: something tried to take over my mind just now, when i said a prayer Finley: something tried to wat Mari: Q_Q

At the same time the team in the kitchen sit and wait for the fire to start, hopefully deducing its source. After a time they see a blue spark of fire in the centre of the room appear and float slowly there for a few moments, before it explodes in size. Ash out of reflex attempts to cast a cone of ice at it but ends up blasting cin in the face along with the flame.

it hits the fire and it blinks briefly but the blue flame sparks back to life, that same shifting feeling some of you felt when peoples faces changed earlier you feel on the fire

the kitchen team attempts to make a run from the kitchen before they can become trapped in the room, but in the shock and confusion end up running into each other and the counters of the kitchen in a panic.

Finley: i wonder how the kitchen team's doing :-) Vernalis: They're so competent :)! Finley: my good friend's in there and he's the best, everything must be completely under control Vernalis: they're so brave and fire resistant :)! Mari: ash and cin are like family to me there is no one something bad is going to happy to them ;)

They make an attempt to bumble their way out of the door but keep knocking into each other and they end up wasting to much time, the fire reaching the door outside blocking their exit and trapping them

Ash: nice we're all dead

The team outside see the flames begin to lick up the side of the building again once more, mari makes a break to the flowers and starts pouring a flask of oil over them before throwing a torch on top, trying to set the whole thing aflame, the others all attempt to bust the door down for the kitchen team to get out, but the damage seems to make the ceiling almost cave in faster. As Mari watches the flames burn the ground and die out she sees that everything around the flowers except the flowers burned eerily.

The two teams desperately beat on the outside to try and get to the kitchen team failing to think of anything to save them, eventually the ceiling caves in once again, but before it crushes them time stops again. Starting them back at the beginning of the evening shell shocked and adrenaline pumping through their veins.

Ecarte: ECARTE IS STILL SCREAMING and then he's like Ecarte: Oh. We're back.. Sagessa: I GATHER ALL 6FT OF HIM INTO MY ARMS

Ash: i am hyperventilating at this point Cin: ash are you okay? Ash: yeah, yeah i'm fine, i regain my composure

Sagessa: I'm just apologising over and over that i couldn't save him,even tho he's okay now Ecarte: i just pat sagessa's head and say "it's alright"

The group sit for the time being and lick their wounds, debating on what course of action they should take next to get them out of this nightmare. The first thing now on their minds the unsettling flowers.

SECOND SESSION - 8/7/18 🥀🥀

Returning back to this mess of a night, the group splits up to investigate three things, the stables, the storeroom in the shack and the strange rubble outside of the inn. Vernalis and Mari investigate the stables but dont find anything off about it, aside from the fact that there are no horses considering the amount of patrons that are currently in the inn.

Ash and Cin go towards the rubble that is half separated by the barrier around them doing their best to investigate what exactly it is, realising they are graves

the series of stones, are a small set of graves. There seem to be….10 of them, placed around the area. You can make out a few names on some, you get “tess, harry and gezzert…” the others to faded or warped to read.

Sagessa, Ecarte and Finley go to investigate the storeroom closer than the others did the last time, a feeling of dread still lingering in the room, after moving around the crates and various junk in the room they discover a strange hatch that seems to lead down, as they open and look at it all they see is a rickety ladder and blackness, it unnerves them. They all decide to regroup and report their findings

Mari: they stables were empty... not even a single horse corpse Vernalis: a horpse if you will Ecarte: horpse...got it...*nodding*

everyone gives a sad chuckle

they decide for this loop to wait outside and watch the inn burn down to see what exactly happens. Uncomfortably they listen to the cries and screams and watch the building slowly crumble in on itself, suddenly hearing a high pitched scream and a strange shattering noise before they feel time stop, looping once again, waking up at the start of the evening once more. Vernalis perceives that the shattering sound resembled something like jewellery snapping and breaking.

The group surveys the inn for anyone wearing jewellery and picks out a few people of interest, Mari approaches the bar owner to ask if she know anything of the flowers but gets a non response and a smile. At the same time Sagessa tries to goad Gray into a conversation with her. Cin approaches the bar owner as well and asks her if she knows if a Harry is staying here to which similarly to before, her face seems to register it for a second before shifting again and saying shes never heard the name before. Cin continues however and mentions that he saw the name on the graves outside.

The music stops and suddenly her face shifts, everyone in the inn stares at you all at once, their faces blank before you feel time stop again

Time loops again and the group wake up at the start of the evening, cin apologises. The group decides instead to investigate all of the rooms upstairs and make their way to the second floor. There are 6 rooms in total, they decide to split across the floor and open the doors all at the same time. They open the doors on the count of three, and in a string of eerie luck the doors Mari and Ecarte open contains one more dead body each. Their yelling causes Sagessa, Finley and Vernalis to run over to help, Ash and Cin continue to investigate the rooms they chose.

Looking at the bodies they identify them as Marina’s and Erik’s as they look about the two rooms noting that they look older than the others, similar to when they step outside going through the door almost feels like they're stepping through time.

Ash investigates her room, finding it looking lone and empty but discovers a note near a bag on the table

The note reads “to my dearest Tess, I am sorry we have been apart for so long but I will see you soon, keep that medallion close to your chest and no harm will come to you. I will find you again in 3 days on the long Shespin Road, I cannot wait to see you again – Your Loving Mother, Imona”

Cin attempts to investigate his room, he takes note that there are instruments about making it most likely to belong to the band, but checking under the bed he also slams his head and almost passes out. Ash later comes to help him, as they search about inside one of the chests they find some sort of flyer for the band.

The Azure Reeds, debut in Sharden – 20th of Rahtumna at dusk in the Billowing Pines, below that are the band member’s names written in “Harry Derringer, Cerulean, Brax and Ardun” the illustration the four band members does not look like the four downstairs, its makes you feel unconformable looking at it.

Cin pockets a flute from the bands room and hands it ash as a gift. Finley and Sagessa go to investigate the another of the rooms and inside immediately find bottles of booze stacked all around, they determine it is Gray’s room. When they examine one of the bags they find a note inside that’s been crumpled up somewhat.

In the bag you find few personal affects, clothing and trinkets, you find a note that reads “if you fuck this up again Coborn it’ll be your head not mine – Kren” angrily scrawled on some paper

Ash and Cin go towards the final room to investigate it and find scattered about weapons and personal effects, determine it is the room of the mercenaries. On the desk they find notes from their group, The Red Hoods.

One reads throughout “Bodyguard request from Shespin Road, TO BE FULFILLED - cattle and livestock shipment x3 – Assigned hands – Korok, Henriette, 2500 gold upon destination reached – signed RH”

The Gang regroup after all their investigation and one by one report their findings to one another. Sagessa slowly realises that whoever Tess is, that they are currently taking on the form of Estas, through the mention of the mother. Doppelgangers of some kind, this probably applies to every other patron in the inn as well. They decide for the rest of the loop to wait upstairs on the landing an watch what certain patrons do once the fire starts.

Eventually as they watch the fire go the landing underneath them begins to slowly crumble and they have to quickly begin running down it lest they fall down to the first floor. As a group they are pretty dexterous and manage to get a good way down while still watching the main floor, but Ash trips and starts crumbling off the side of the burning balcony. Cin turns and rush to grab her hands but his strength actually begins sending them both careening off the side, Finely goes to grab him afterwards with Vernalis holding her back.

Ash: I WILL TAKE YOU TO HELL WITH ME Cin: twins die together peace out Mari: [JUST HUDDLED IN A CORNER CRYING AND NOT LOOKING]

In a fit of quick thinking Cin casts levitate on Ash while still holding onto her and slowly start floating over the burning debris while everyone else continues squishing down the right side of the balcony.

From her new vantage point with her brother dangling off of her, though uncomfortable, Ash is able to see the whole room clearly. She spots Gray crushed under the left side of the building and nearby Estats huddled under a table. Before any of them can do anything else they see a piece of the ceiling fall over her and the same high pitched scream and snap and time stops again.

Figuring they've found all they can out about the fire, the group resolves themselves and heads towards the hatch in the shack’s storeroom, making their way down into the depths.

cin you bash your head on a rock

Ash: HOW MANY TIMES U GONNA BASH UR HEAD TODAY EH? Cin: SHUT UP

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> 🎵 The Night Unfurls / Bloodborne OST

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> 🎵 Dark Water / Yumme Nikki OST

They reach the bottom one by one of a large warped cavern with bright blue pools dotted around it and a tunnel leading out to the side.

As you continue through the cavern you see along the warped architecture, a pile of bones littered on the floor, another body it seems. As you look about theres a pool of water in the cave seem to move and lick, eerily they seem to almost resemble the flicking and movement of fire.

The melding of the taverns architecture with that of the cave is reminiscent to a game glitch and does not loo natural at all. The body they find they determine is the halfing’s from the size. slowly as they stand around and examine this cavern small little balls of flaming light slowly surround them, Vernalis reaches out and touches one, causing a shock to go through her entire body. They are will o wisps and they have become hostile.

The party readies themselves and begin to dispatch the wisps one by one, during the battle cin suggests to one of them that they target the other blue tiefling instead of him (hilariously)

Ash: >Ash will remember that. Cin: jhBNV&UFNGHIGMFHJH;JK

Ash: i'll just ass blast cin again right here then run back out the hatch im out of here

Ash: i just give cin a stink eye as that wisp moves to me tbh Cin: i pretend not to notice

Vernalis finishes the last of them off with a divine smite before the party decides to continue moving forward after healing themselves somewhat.

Cin: cins face heats up just a little “Thank you... wanna check out the rest here with the others? we should be safe for now” Ecarte: you're welcome, also yeah we can go Finley: IS THIS A DATE FELLAS Ash: you can sense my fuming anger from 10 ft away cin

Vernalis: standing between the twins :/ Finley: vern is the auspistice Vernalis: DONT YOU HOMESTUCK ME

Sagessa: i hold onto like a bit of finley's sleeve as i follow behind her

The party continues down the warped cave and find another body slouched against a couple of barrels at the end end of a branching tunnel, they are grossed out for perhaps the 8th time today. After examining it they determine that it is the body of another halfing, decomposed like the rest.

From here they find two branching tunnels, they hear a soft noise echoing down the one to the right and begin arguing about which direction to head down first.

Cin: we should split up Vernalis: we shouldn't split up, and you're grounded whatever that means. so no levitating Finley: omg.... are you their mom?

Ash: tch i'm going wherever cin is not going Cin: i dont care where ash is going. im going left

Mari: WHO CARES ANYMORE WE ARE ALL GONNA DIE HERE !

Vernalis: ASH AND MARI WHERE DO YOU TWO THINK YOU'RE GOING Mari: TO DIE !!!!!!

Sagessa: i whisper to finley "should we do smth” Ecarte: what's happening?

After the twins spit venom at each other and ash and mari begin walking down the right chamber the party all decide follow after screaming “I DONT THINK WE SHOULD SPLIT UP” for the 6th time, cin decides to stay far near the back at the very least.

As they slowly walk down the tunnel the soft noise gets louder until it begins to sound like a muffled sobbing noise, and they see a very bright blue light near the end of it as the tunnel turns off towards a larger open cavern. The further they go the more the sobbing almost begins to sound distorted. As they all peek their heads in they see a big lake and a being in the middle of it.

As you enter the large cavern you hear a soft sobbing that reverberates throughout the cavern, in the middle of the water you see a bright blue being, bright blue and ethereal hunched over and sobbing. Its form flitting about and changing like a strong wind is being blown at a set of cloaks.

The party quickly decide to slink back into the tunnel and not approach it (yet) and walk all the way back the tunnel they came.

Ash: WE JUST WALK BACKWARDS Finley: yeeah Vernalis: YEAH

The party diverts down the other tunnel, this time taking the left and coming acorss a much smaller cave opening towards a tiny cavern with another small lake, this time they find another dead body laying beside it. They do not approach as they spot another wisp within the cavern and see what they can from further down the tunnel, Ash determines it is the body of the half elf Reza.

The party pull back down the tunnel to the cavern where the paths branch again to gather themselves and decide how they will go about confronting the ghost over the big lake.

THIRD SESSION - 13/8/18 🥀🥀🥀

The party discusses what they know so far about what is happening in the inn and determine that the ghost in the cavern must be the ghost of the girl names Tess, who is currently impersonating Estas upstairs. They go back down to the right cavern to confront her, though while they're debating on how to speak to the ghost, Cin decides to stroll out first, causing everyone else to start panic yelling for about 5 seconds.

Sagessa: when i hear cin rush in there i like, reach out my hands like i'm gonna catch him to stop him but like stop halfway bc i know it's futile Ecarte: if i had the slots to spare i would've used hold person on cin just to prevent that decision Finley: damn had cin known that his conviction to run in woulda been higher

The ghost comes into full view, bright white eyes and an aura of grief surrounding it, almost looking like it has tears stained upon its face. Cin stands there for about 2 minutes while everyone is scream whispering at him what to say before Sagessa gives up and walks out as well, calling the name Tess, to which Cin also says after she does.

The two begin their double effort on talking to the ghost and attempting to figure out why are trapped there and if its the ghost fault, and also to let them go. They note that there is a medallion around her neck. Cin continuously attempts to get closer by stepping near the lake before everyone calls him an idiot.

- it looks over at the entrace of the cave where the rest of you are crowded and stares at you all, you feel more than one set of eyes on your backs. Sagessa: i throw an unapproving look at at yall before turning back to tess Finley: HHHGHOHH Mari: [NAUSEUA INDUCING]

The ghost continues to state that she knows something bad is going to happen but she does not know what and that she needs help, but the only way for them to help is to stay here and wait and it will eventually stop because her mother will come get them eventually.

Ecarte examines the cavern while they speak and sees that the walls near them look like they're shifting ever so slightly, Mari barfs on Finley’s shoes. Cin attempts to skip a rock on the pool while Sagessa attempts to continue conversing with her, the rock stops before it hits the water and a hostile air is pointed at Cin, he backs off nervously.

As the conversation goes on the ghost seems to be getting more riled up, however Cin shows it the tattoos on their hands and it seems to calm it briefly and it drifts closer to him, he continues to hold it up.

Mari: sacrifice urself cin dw Cin: im gonna die laughing if he does from this

Cin begins to back off slowly as it gets closer and the ghost seems to shift attitudes stating they all need to stay here if they want to fix this, they have to wait, Sagessa attempts to say that they can go look for her mother instead before Cin says that her mother isnt coming.

Cin: look you've been staying here for some time and i think your mothers just not coming, you cant keep trapping people here against their will. let us go and everyone else too. its over. you know that deep down Sagessa: i tried so hard Ecarte: *thinking* after i said not to piss her off... u__u Vernalis: YIKES Mari: YIKES Finley: oh no

as you speak you feel the sensation of being watched come back full force the more you go on, the ghost stares at you but its face contorts, its arms go back to clutch its head "i dont know what this is i dont know what to do we have to wait its the only thing we can do" its voice begins distorting as it moves backwards across the lake, the cavern around you begins shifting unnaturally more so than before

Cin’s words finally set her off and she moves back into the cavern slowly clutching her head before releasing that same scream that they have heard before this.

The ghost begins to scream, ghastly and otherworldly, grief ridden and distorted, as it screams the cavern shifts around you melding more into a cacophony of line and shape, you feel yourselves begin to grow nauseous, your vision blurring, your heart racing.

You open them again and you are in the inn, broken and old and ashy and forgotten and terrifying, you see it briefly flashing between the brightly light interior before and the crumbling remains you see now quickly.

In front of you is the same ghost, unmoving, floating in front of you “you are un-needed you are unhelpful you are unwanted I despise you I despise you I despise this, I will crush this all” and around you all at once the rest of the patrons appear, ghostly blue and burning, their faces stock straight and unmoving, they bear the looks they stole but they are done acting the night out. You are not safe anymore.

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> 🎵 Omen / Bloodborne OST

The group ready themselves for combat in the scattered remains of the broken down inn, one by one working to take down the spectres of the other patrons and the ghost of Tess.

Mari: I ALREADY PUKED DO I HAVE IMMUNITY Ecarte: WHY ARE YOU VOMITING SO MUCH Ash: YALL HERE FUCK?

At the start of the battle Tess reveals a macabre face within her form in attempt to terrify the party, It ends up chilling Finley and Cin to their core and causing them to fumble throughout the fight. The initial aura she gives off also seems to start....aging them slowly, both Cin and Finley gain 20 years, looking like they are now in their 40′s.

Ash: ossan Mari: cin’s a dilf... Sagessa: dilf Mari: wait finley a milf now

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> 🎵 Guardians Of The Past/ Dragon Age Inquisition OST

The rest of the party attempts to dodge the spectres and Tess for the fight, taking damage as the spectres make grabs for them and sink their arms into them sapping them of their life force slowly.

Soon after the fight begins Tess ends up taking control of Ash’s body, possessing her for a majority of the fight, using her spells against the rest of the party, her eyes going an eerie bright blue. Ash retains her consciousnesses but loses control of her body, trying to fight against it unsuccessfully. Mari partway through casts entangle covering a part of the terrain in vines, trapping two of the spectres briefly. The party continually find they aren’t dealing much damage but Sagessa is able to effectively blast them off the field one by one with her spells.

Sagessa: I FEEL PELOR IN THIS CHILI'S TONIGHT Vernalis: ghost who?

Cin continuously growing angry over his possessed sister attempts to intimidate the spirit out of her, Tess does not leave the body but she is put off by him for a moments time.

Cin: leave my sisters body or ill ensure you'll wait for your mother for the remainder of your existence Ash: cries while tposing Cin: ash......sorry i played an Epic funny youtube prank on you... i love you

As the fight goes on others feel them age through the attacks, Vernalis gains 20 years though it doesn't seem to actually change her much aside from getting longer hair.

Mari: from 40 feet away: THATS CUTE

Cin is grabbed and ages another 35 years, turning him 75, making him begin hitting the danger range as the battle goes on. Sagessa turns her attention towards ash and begins damaging her to knock her out and Tess out of her body, closeby trapped by spectres on all sides Cin casts jump on Mari so she can escape, though Mari uses this to mario jump on a nearby ghosts head and misses entirely, falling right through them.

you see a flash of his memory of the inn in your vision and a whisper of "...blood" in your ears and then nothing as you scramble out from under him

The fight continues against Ash/Tess, however before she gets to the her last hit points Tess leaves her body after casting a final spell that knocks Mari out, though she is now free from her body.

It is this action that ends up costing her however as right after Sagessa readies a guiding bolt to end her.

Sagessa: i guess i'll walk towards her slowly and say a prayer for those lost at the inn in the fire and everyone who's been taken by whatever this is since and pray their souls find peace Sagessa: it's over now, rest my dear Sagessa: and then i cast guiding bolt

as you raise your hand and let the spell fly you feel a warm light wash over you, the spell strikes her square in the chest and you hear the sharp shattering sound of the medallion around her neck, she floats there suspended in time for what feels like an age. until the rest of the surroundings around you shatter as well, like glass falling away all around you. You hear her voice call out "i am sorry i am so sorry" and then blackness takes your vision.

You feel your bodies shift in and out of a dark space, falling, falling, all you can smell is smoke and all you can hear is screams, but finally you impact, underneath you feel hard wood, and as you open your eyes you see the cool night air. you all slowly rise again, as you look you see you are now laying in the middle of what seems to be a broken burned down inn in the dead of night

The party returns back to the present time, free finally from the limbo they were trapped in and rejoice, tired and hurting but alive (and their regular ages again). Ecarte plays a song to soothe some of their ails and as he does they begin hearing sounds from the rubble as more people rise up from the debris.....they appear to be the other patrons.

they all look confused and dazed, staring at the sky and at the ground Mari: omfg. zombies they dont look like gddamn zombies

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> 🎵 Stickerbrush Symphony (restored to HD) / TerraBlue

It appears that the people who were spirited away to this place have all awoken too, alive and free from whatever beings and possessions that has taken them over, it seems the temporal rift that caused them to age and die reverted them back, just as the ageing on the rest of the party did as well.

As the party watch one by one helping them various patrons out of the debris, Estas approaches Sagessa and asks her if she is also a priest of pelor, Finely helps Gray dig for his mail through the dirt.

Sagessa: sister estas marigold! Estas: she cocks her head at you "that would be me....you know my name?” Sagessa: i reach out to take her hands "oh we've been looking all over for you! do you know how long you've been gone?"

Gray: Finley he thanks you for the help and eventually you dig out the things he was looking for to a loud relived cry from him and find his two other friends, as he gets up however he stumbles and almost faceplants into the floor again Finley: .....uh.....do you need a hand.... Gray: he mumbles that hes fine but once he gets to his knees his jsut kinda sits there and stares out at the horizon

The rest of the party sit together and take the night in as, Cin apologies to his sister and then goes to approach Ecarte, Ash goes off to hug a pouting Mari soon after.

Cin: i come up to ash first and hug her firmly "im sorry i couldnt save you.." Ash: it's fineeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee forget it forget it i dont even wanna think about it no more. are you alright tho you looked like a prune there pffff Ash: i walk over to mari "are you okayyyyyy oh my gosh i'm so sorry for the thunder Q_Q" Cin: ... she got over it fast

Ecarte: same to you ^__^. i was kind of worried for a second there, what with you and the others ageing so suddenly like that. Cin: it wasnt too bad the first time but after the second one i thought i would... yknow. can i do anything to help out? Ecarte: i'm good at the moment but thank you! i'm just keeping an eye on everyone to make sure nobody else is too hurt while sagessa and finley go around helping the tavern patrons Cin: "i see" i lean my head on ecartes shoulder and take his hand into mine "just let me stay like this for a while then" Mari: mari feels nauseua again looking at these too

As Ash and mari sit together watching the others in the corner of her eye ash sees something glinting under the wood nearby in the faint moonlight as a whisper passes her ears, on the ground she sees there the craked medallion that Tess was wearing. As her and Mari look out across the field towards the graves she can see something glowing in the dark, the two head over to investigate it as the others watch on

>as you trudge on over to the graves and get closer you can see now, all around them there is now a set of white flowers growing, the same ones that were once on your hand, blowing idly in the wind. as you approach you hear a voice in your ears ash "keep it, it will keep you safe.....i am glad......they are okay" before a pause and then " i can see her again now " and then nothing, and the bright lght disappears into the air

Cin: set the flowers on fire jesus

With that their terrifying evening comes to a close, confused and tired the party comes to rest there for the night surrounded by the other patrons, waiting for the light of morning to come once again. The spirits trapped here having finally found some sort of peace in their newfound freedom, no longer cursed to repeat the night of their deaths over and over again. And the party alive, and scarred, albeit with newfound comrades and friends.

#oneshot #recaps #artby:chip #except everyones pc portraits haw haw #I THINK IM DONE??? ITS DONE???? IM FUCKING DONE/?? this was so long #time twisted inn

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